Feds give $226 million to Ore. insurance exchange
SALEM, Ore. (AP) - The federal government is giving Oregon $226 million to finish creating an online marketplace where people can shop for health insurance.
The grant announced Thursday will help the health insurance exchange become fully operational. Cover Oregon, as the exchange is branded, will allow individuals and small businesses to compare health coverage options and access financial assistance under the federal health care overhaul.
The grant will cover expenses until the exchange is self-sustaining in 2015, including testing, training and the creation of a user-friendly website. It also will help pay for staffing at a call center.
Nearly all Americans will be required to have health insurance by next year. Every state is required have an exchange so small businesses and uninsured individuals have a place to buy coverage.
Copyright 2013 The Associated Press.
What most people do not realize is that most, if not all of us will be utilizing the exchange within a few years.  As companies realize that it is cheaper to pay the fine than to provide health insurance to employees, company sponsored plans will be phased out. My employer, which employs over 12,000 people has already begun whispering about their plans to phase out coverage for employees.  Believe me, your employer is too!!!  See you on the exchange.
Obamacare becomes reality and wingers flip the lids. How predictable!
Almost 1/4 of a billion dollars to create a website to assist people deciding their insurance coverage? So in addition to Obama Care costing those of us that are already insured even more, we're creating another layer of bureaucracy to assist handing out more of our money through benefits?
It is amazing the headline says, "Feds give $226 million to Ore...." Just like it is from a rich benefactor and is "free" money.  The headline would be better written as, "U.S. Taxpayers give $266 million to Ore....."   Self-sufficient programs are extremely rare in government, and I am not to optimistic about this one.
Self sustaining by 2015? Really? There is no such thing as a "self sustaining" government entity. They are all sustained by the taxpayers. Get ready Oregonians - your tax bill is about to get much larger when the federal funds run out.
'Cover Oregon, as the exchange is branded,' it doesn't matter what you call it. You can call it Ray, you can call it Jay, you can call it Johnson, it's still going to be the same thing - RATIONED HEALTHCARE.  Thanks uncle barry, you worthless excuse for a president.