State exchanges report stepped up activity as sign-up deadline nears


According to The Denver Post, Colorado’s marketplace is seeing an acceleration in the rate of enrollment while the Los Angeles Times highlights specific outreach efforts as the clock ticks toward March 31. In Oregon, though, the countdown is on for the release of a report detailing what went wrong. And, in Connecticut, GOP state legislators want to know any of the consumers using the state’s online portal were previously uninsured.   

The Denver Post: Colorado Health Insurance Sign-Ups Gaining Momentum As Deadline Nears
With less than two weeks left before the deadline, the rate of health-insurance enrollment has been accelerating, with more than 251,000 Coloradans having signed up for health coverage, state officials announced Tuesday. Connect for Health Colorado, the nonprofit health insurance marketplace established by state law, reported that 100,112 residents have signed up for private health insurance (Draper, 3/19).

Los Angeles Times: Clinic Chain AltaMed Is Signing Up Latinos For Obamacare
Much of the activity is centered at its two enrollment offices in East L.A. and Santa Ana, where people often line up in the morning before the doors open at 8 a.m. Overall, AltaMed has nearly 120 enrollment counselors. Health plan sign-ups end March 31, and enrollment doesn’t reopen until November. The clinic’s roots go back 45 years, and it has become a trusted name in the communities it serves (Karlamangla and Terhune, 3/19).

The Oregonian: The State’s Cover Oregon Health Insurance Exchange Review Is Expected Soon
The consulting firm hired by Gov. John Kitzhaber to review what went wrong with the Cover Oregon health insurance exchange debacle has completed its report, which should be released as early as Wednesday or Thursday, officials say. As the public awaits the report, conducted by Atlanta-based First Data, here’s some background on the Kitzhaber-initiated review of how the exchange went off the rails. On Dec. 13, Kitzhaber’s office announced “initial steps for an independent review of every stage of the development of the Cover Oregon website” (Budnick, 3/19).