The slowdown of implementation of Obamacare shows a basic problem - overpromising what can be done.
In an ideal world, the exchange websites need to be able to talk to
several federal agencies—IRS to verify an applicant's income and
employment status, the Department of Homeland Security to determine her
citizenship, and the state government to see if she qualifies for
Medicaid, to name a few—all in real time, so a person could fill out a
form and purchase insurance in one sitting.
Each of those departments has its own computer system and its own
means of tracking information. Creating a "data hub" to share them has
been a challenge, as a recent Government Accountability Office report
highlighted. It is increasingly clear that the kind of Amazon.com,
one-stop shopping that was once described – and that Obama himself
referenced in a speech on Monday -- will not be available in most parts
of the country.
In an ideal world.
Last time I checked, it's not an ideal world.
A needed reminder when you're tinkering.
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