Engel Frustrated by Health Care Website Delays But Praises Law

Press Release

The Energy and Commerce Committee, of which Congressman Eliot Engel is a senior member, Thursday heard testimony from some of the website contractors on the problems faced by people using the federal exchange website, healthcare.gov, to sign up for health insurance. Rep. Engel said he was frustrated by the technical problems faced by people trying to sign up for health insurance under the Affordable Care Act, but said the law was good for Americans because they could now have lower cost, higher quality health insurance coverage.

"I must say I am very frustrated with the online exchanges and the technical problems being experienced by those seeking affordable health insurance coverage.

However, there will be plenty of time to figure out who is responsible for the various problems facing the exchanges. What is more important to me is that Americans be able to access the numerous benefits found in the plans offered through the exchanges."

In praise of the ACA he said, "I believe all Americans should have access to affordable, quality health care coverage. Plans should cover maternity care, preventative care, and prescription drugs. No one should be denied access to health insurance because they have a pre-existing condition or forced to pay exorbitant rates for being older."

He chided Republican opponents of the law saying, "I think it is interesting that now Republicans are so very concerned about making sure their constituents have access to affordable health care options through the exchanges. To hear the outrage today from my Republican counterparts, you wouldn't think they were the same people who shut down the federal government for two and a half weeks in a ridiculous attempt to de-fund the Affordable Care Act." Rep. Engel said, "I supported the Affordable Care Act three and a half years ago, I have voted against repealing it countless times, I opposed shutting down the government over it, and I want the problems with the exchange fixed immediately so the benefits of this program can continue to be felt nationwide…

"Given their outrage today, maybe we have seen the last of the ridiculous repeal and defund votes. Otherwise, this Republican outrage is just playing politics."

He called the New York State exchange a "good example of what is possible when the federal government has a willing and enthusiastic partner in ACA implementation." He said that 174,000 New Yorkers have completed their application and received an eligibility determination for health care coverage and more than 37,000 have fully enrolled for health insurance.

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