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194. Krugman: Good Glitches

Fri Oct 4, 2013, 09:14 PM

Oct 2013

Good Glitches

So, very early reports are that Obamacare exchanges are, as expected, having some technical glitches on the first day — maybe even a bit worse than expected, because it appears that volume has been much bigger than predicted.

Here’s what you need to know: this is good, not bad, news for the program. The glitches will get fixed...The big fear has been that a combination of ignorance and misinformation would keep people away, that they wouldn’t sign up either because they didn’t know that insurance was now available, or because Republicans had convinced them that the program was the spawn of the devil, or something. Lots of people logging on and signing up on the very first day — a day when the Kamikaze Kongress is dominating the headlines — is an early indication that it’s going to be fine, that plenty of people will sign up for the first year of health reform.

Yes, there may be some negative news stories about the glitches. But Obamacare is not up for a revote. As Jonathan Bernstein says, the only thing that matters is whether it works. And today’s heavy volume is yet another sign — along with abating health costs and below-expected premiums — that it will.

http://krugman.blogs.nytimes.com/2013/10/01/good-glitches/

This 2010 commentary on the health care law was prescient
http://www.democraticunderground.com/10023787146

Good advice for those signing up for the ACA
http://www.democraticunderground.com/10023760193

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At what point am I allowed to say healthcare.gov is a freaking nightmare [View all] BlueStreak Oct 2013 OP

I saw some very wise person advise that you wait a week before even trying to log on StrictlyRockers Oct 2013 #1

Good post, patience is a virtue for us on this topic...nt StopTheNeoCons Oct 2013 #2

Me too...even though I'd like to change my policy ASAP, I can wait for the initial start-up hick-ups Old and In the Way Oct 2013 #7

That was one of my thoughts as well. Jamastiene Oct 2013 #133

Works if you have time joeglow3 Oct 2013 #18

Exactly. MrsKirkley Oct 2013 #35

If you have affordable insurance available at work, in general you are ineligible for the tax credit lumberjack_jeff Oct 2013 #62

You cant buy on the exchange if you have insurance through work. bunnies Oct 2013 #103

You can if it's s over 9-1/2 % of your income. DevonRex Oct 2013 #153

lmao! bunnies Oct 2013 #159

Oh thank goodness. DevonRex Oct 2013 #164

It was very refreshing. bunnies Oct 2013 #166

This is not going to be sorted out in a week B2G Oct 2013 #28

Really - there's no way unless they didn't get the telecom lines up Yo_Mama Oct 2013 #41

My guess is that it's a combination of B2G Oct 2013 #45

I have a similar background, and my reaction is very close to yours Yo_Mama Oct 2013 #51

Just started a thread about security concerns B2G Oct 2013 #56

I created a bogus email address to use, because I don't trust the security Yo_Mama Oct 2013 #60

I would definitely go with paper B2G Oct 2013 #61

What do you mean by going the "paper route"? riderinthestorm Oct 2013 #154

I did manage to get to one person on the chat Yo_Mama Oct 2013 #168

That's what I'm saying. This is not about too many people visiting the site BlueStreak Oct 2013 #70

I don't think they could do a beta test. Whisp Oct 2013 #148

Really, all indications are it is capacity issues, and those can be fixed with more hardware lostincalifornia Oct 2013 #177

Message auto-removed Name removed Oct 2013 #203

The popint is that this screwed-up system is baking a lot of first impressions on people BlueStreak Oct 2013 #37

Message auto-removed Name removed Oct 2013 #146

I haven't even tried, figured at least two weeks HarveyDarkey Oct 2013 #169

The problem with the system must be fixed NOW. Fuck six months, people must have a bluestate10 Oct 2013 #189

Your concern is noted. Anansi1171 Oct 2013 #3

Indiana? Isn't that Kasich country? BlueToTheBone Oct 2013 #4

I've been saying that since Tuesday. I'm in Texas, and I wouldn't be ScreamingMeemie Oct 2013 #13

Yeap, they've made it clear from the beginning they're going to make it hard for ACA to survive uponit7771 Oct 2013 #19

Indiana did not do their own. BlueStreak Oct 2013 #38

Healthcare.gov wasn't even supposed to be needed bhikkhu Oct 2013 #86

Agreed, but they have known for 3-1/2 years BlueStreak Oct 2013 #142

No, Kasich is Ohio. phleshdef Oct 2013 #79

Thanks. BlueToTheBone Oct 2013 #128

And there is another catch-22 in Indiana BlueStreak Oct 2013 #156

Ticketmaster is the same way at times - with way more IT staff on deck ehrnst Oct 2013 #5

I imagine it is frustrating. HOWEVER... OneGrassRoot Oct 2013 #6

Wah wah wah. You got what you needed no? lonestarnot Oct 2013 #8

Can you read? No. I didn't get what I wanted. Not even close. BlueStreak Oct 2013 #40

So try later. Others are getting what they need. Why are you the exception. And yes I can read. lonestarnot Oct 2013 #50

Perhaps those "others" live in states that did their own exchanges BlueStreak Oct 2013 #77

Arizona had one store open on the opening day and it was clear the hell in Egypt. lonestarnot Oct 2013 #82

No, and just about all the rest of us trying didn't either Yo_Mama Oct 2013 #47

I don't need a lesson from you on broadening perspectives. Beginnings of things this large are lonestarnot Oct 2013 #58

Thank you. You said it better than I did BlueStreak Oct 2013 #80

It's stress, not their basic natures. Yo_Mama Oct 2013 #90

It might not be telecom related B2G Oct 2013 #92

I know. Yo_Mama Oct 2013 #98

That was a really nasty response Marrah_G Oct 2013 #101

Do you know what empathy is? AgingAmerican Oct 2013 #114

Your lack of compassion Jamastiene Oct 2013 #137

Asshat. NealK Oct 2013 #181

Welcome to the internet? RedCappedBandit Oct 2013 #9

You already have health insurance jberryhill Oct 2013 #10

Most companies require you to lock in your choice NOW joeglow3 Oct 2013 #22

OP claimed he was paying for his own jberryhill Oct 2013 #23

Paying for it through work? joeglow3 Oct 2013 #26

The full premium? jberryhill Oct 2013 #27

My work? No. My wife's work? Yes joeglow3 Oct 2013 #29

Still, if you are paying the premium for a group plan already.... jberryhill Oct 2013 #33

No. My complainet is that this mionumentlaly screwed up system may ruin all the efforts BlueStreak Oct 2013 #42

Come back in a few weeks and see how "mionumentlaly screwed up" it is jberryhill Oct 2013 #74

There is a huge difference between insurance and a freaking Microsoft program. Jamastiene Oct 2013 #135

Yes, there are a number of differences jberryhill Oct 2013 #138

If that were the case, then 3AM would be a whole different scene BlueStreak Oct 2013 #158

+1 NealK Oct 2013 #182

Stop being a Debbie Downer AgingAmerican Oct 2013 #116

Thank you for your concern. HappyMe Oct 2013 #11

Download the paper application and mail it Cicada Oct 2013 #12

Mail? What is this "mail" of which you speak? Tommy_Carcetti Oct 2013 #15

It's kind of like email, except it takes about 10,000 times as long to get there StrictlyRockers Oct 2013 #17

But is it susceptible to accidential deletion? Tommy_Carcetti Oct 2013 #32

Just transpose a couple of numbers on the "ZIP CODE". StrictlyRockers Oct 2013 #43

Bwahaha!!! JoePhilly Oct 2013 #55

I think it is something you do with a twpewriter BlueStreak Oct 2013 #81

I've actually heard of these things called "pens" as well. Tommy_Carcetti Oct 2013 #84

See if the genius can figure out how to load up a fountain pen. BlueStreak Oct 2013 #88

I had a similar experience in the begining. grantcart Oct 2013 #14

It's like 50 people trying to go through a single door at the same time AgingAmerican Oct 2013 #119

Fair enough but we figured out how to line up strangers to get into an airplane without grantcart Oct 2013 #121

from what I've seen of the responses you're not allowed to say it's a nightmare. liberal_at_heart Oct 2013 #16

Or wingerish out of proportion criticism could be a reason such post gets attention? uponit7771 Oct 2013 #21

There's no rush to sign up the first week or even the first month. You're not going to win Fla Dem Oct 2013 #20

I have to decide on my insurance at work by Oct. 15th joeglow3 Oct 2013 #25

Your employer is giving you a choice between their plan and the ACA? nt Fla Dem Oct 2013 #36

My employer doesn't require me to buy insurance through them. joeglow3 Oct 2013 #53

My employer provides a group health plan, which I pay for at a reduced rate. Fla Dem Oct 2013 #63

This message was self-deleted by its author MrsKirkley Oct 2013 #73

This is not about me. It is about the millions who are getting their first real impression BlueStreak Oct 2013 #46

Concern noted. n/t Cali_Democrat Oct 2013 #59

Trollishness noted. n/t BlueStreak Oct 2013 #83

At least we agree that your OP was trollish. Cali_Democrat Oct 2013 #107

give it some time. it's only been 3 days. This is a monumental undertaking. bowens43 Oct 2013 #24

I can't log on either. MrsKirkley Oct 2013 #30

Thank you. It is good to know I'm not the only one having that problem BlueStreak Oct 2013 #48

BlueStreak, Sissyk Oct 2013 #31

I did not see that. Do you have a link? BlueStreak Oct 2013 #143

Congrats on your healthy income...if $541/mo is no more than 9.5% of it... Barack_America Oct 2013 #34

Eligibility for health insurance subsides should be based on income alone MrsKirkley Oct 2013 #52

Yeah, tons Yo_Mama Oct 2013 #95

If by nightmare you mean... whttevrr Oct 2013 #39

Seems to me that you are allowed to say it, NCTraveler Oct 2013 #44

Two days ago I posted the first half of this ordeal BlueStreak Oct 2013 #64

Do you have a link to the first half? nt. NCTraveler Oct 2013 #130

It is hidden BlueStreak Oct 2013 #147

Thank you for the link. NCTraveler Oct 2013 #149

None of them made any effort to explain how it violated TOU BlueStreak Oct 2013 #155

Okay then, what do you propose? jberryhill Oct 2013 #140

If I were doing it BlueStreak Oct 2013 #150

Lots of good ideas. chill_wind Oct 2013 #191

Yes. It is an encouraging sign. BlueStreak Oct 2013 #199

No, you're not allowed to say anything about it Cali_Democrat Oct 2013 #49

Can't everyone start at their STATE gov website? Autumn Colors Oct 2013 #54

Only if you live in a state that did its own exchange. Most of the nation has to use Healthcare.gov BlueStreak Oct 2013 #65

Oh, I thought all states did an exchange Autumn Colors Oct 2013 #67

This! whttevrr Oct 2013 #68

If you are saying you can go into a state site, that is simply incorrect BlueStreak Oct 2013 #76

Sometimes cognitive dissonance is not a catch phrase. whttevrr Oct 2013 #85

Not every state has a site and when you try to log on the national one grantcart Oct 2013 #117

Or if they kept people with insurance they can afford from logging in 50 times in the last few days. whttevrr Oct 2013 #120

Except that even if you have insurance you can afford you should check to see what subsidy you grantcart Oct 2013 #123

Thank you, grantcart chill_wind Oct 2013 #198

It might lessen some of the traffic to healthcare.gov Autumn Colors Oct 2013 #93

A correction Autumn Colors Oct 2013 #102

Thank you for repeating your story! whttevrr Oct 2013 #105

Pleased post as an OP, great story. grantcart Oct 2013 #122

OK, I will -- later today Autumn Colors Oct 2013 #125

What awesome insurance! Sorry about your business. MrsKirkley Oct 2013 #127

No, it doesn't work that way. Jamastiene Oct 2013 #139

Maybe relax a little about it, especially if you're already covered bhikkhu Oct 2013 #57

This is not about me. Please. It is about the success of the Obamacare program. BlueStreak Oct 2013 #66

Not likely... whttevrr Oct 2013 #75

Tinfoil hat...? I don't think so.... Bigmack Oct 2013 #69

I give up. B2G Oct 2013 #72

There could be an element of D-O-S, but that's not the main problem BlueStreak Oct 2013 #87

And I'm beginning to have serious doubts that they can B2G Oct 2013 #89

I wonder if something along these lines is taking place... anneboleyn Oct 2013 #134

I'm not even going to try to log on until 2 or 3 weeks have elapsed. Lex Oct 2013 #71

It's like going to the biggest hit movie on the first few days JCMach1 Oct 2013 #78

it should be no surprise think_critically Oct 2013 #91

"I've tried to log on at least 50 times this week" ... You are part of the problem yet ChisolmTrailDem Oct 2013 #94

Correction: Doesn't need to log on. whttevrr Oct 2013 #96

Yea, I couldn't read anything past the line I quoted. Some people, gah! n/t ChisolmTrailDem Oct 2013 #99

Right? whttevrr Oct 2013 #106

Doesn't even need ACA yet gumming up the works! Shame! n/t ChisolmTrailDem Oct 2013 #108

O right. Now I am the one that messed up this system. Just brilliant. BlueStreak Oct 2013 #141

Despite your circumstances, you know the system is bogged down yet ChisolmTrailDem Oct 2013 #145

That's bs. Your line of thinking leads us to the ultimate conclusion that Skip Intro Oct 2013 #165

I'm going to wait 2 weeks before trying Pretzel_Warrior Oct 2013 #97

K&R, sounds like a horror show quinnox Oct 2013 #100

It was easier getting a Furby in 1998 n/t B2G Oct 2013 #111

Why do you think you're not allowed to say that? Iggo Oct 2013 #104

hyperbole? whttevrr Oct 2013 #109

Sorry. Sounded like whining from here. Iggo Oct 2013 #110

right? Raffi Ella Oct 2013 #115

That's the reality of software AgingAmerican Oct 2013 #112

you have 6 months to enroll and Dyedinthewoolliberal Oct 2013 #113

This massive undertaking wasn't perfect in its first week?? TroglodyteScholar Oct 2013 #118

You're needing quick results from a brand-new system... Orsino Oct 2013 #124

Why the rush? Nothing will kick in before Jan 1, and for that pnwmom Oct 2013 #126

All the top IT talent is hired by the GOP to rig elections....nt Evasporque Oct 2013 #129

With the magnitude of this undertaking, AtomicKitten Oct 2013 #131

You got a lot further than I did. Jamastiene Oct 2013 #132

"I don't know who I am going to complain to" NealK Oct 2013 #184

Trying to get hold of the newest iPhone a couple of days after it is first released Nye Bevan Oct 2013 #136

It is unfortunate that there wasn't a media campaign instructing people to WAIT DireStrike Oct 2013 #144

I doubt Obama is even aware how messed up it is. He needs to be. BlueStreak Oct 2013 #152

I'm sure he's well aware of it steve2470 Oct 2013 #157

Thank you for the non-snarky advice. It is most welcome. BlueStreak Oct 2013 #161

I empathize with your frustration, I truly do steve2470 Oct 2013 #163

That would be good, yeah. DireStrike Oct 2013 #167

In this article, they seem to indicate that President Obama is aware. Jamastiene Oct 2013 #172

Amazing. ABC reads the future :) BlueStreak Oct 2013 #173

One of the most important things the article mentions is Jamastiene Oct 2013 #174

Indeed. I'll take the weekend off. But I wouldn't have gotten on at all if BlueStreak Oct 2013 #175

Even Blizzard Entertainment couldn't handle this, and DDOS attacks steve2470 Oct 2013 #151

This is an unbelievable mess. StandingInLeftField Oct 2013 #160

It's a cluster**** and there's no excuse for it. Skip Intro Oct 2013 #162

I am lucky enough to live in a Blue State that has it's own exchange and has worked it hard. bluestate10 Oct 2013 #170

More information at link: Jamastiene Oct 2013 #171

And don't let anyone tell you that these glitches were unexpected. Any roll out of a new system ha kelliekat44 Oct 2013 #197

Not having that in California. Why not wait a couple weeks and then try it. lostincalifornia Oct 2013 #176

Wait. There's plenty of time. The Velveteen Ocelot Oct 2013 #178

The traffic is far beyond what anyone anticipated Warpy Oct 2013 #179

I can't think of a single big tech rollout that wasn't buggy. Lucinda Oct 2013 #180

Exact same thing happened to me. Myrina Oct 2013 #183

That is unacceptable, completely unacceptable. nt bluestate10 Oct 2013 #186

Delete and start over again. This happens with a lot of sites...even Amazon. nt kelliekat44 Oct 2013 #195

I can't delete & start over - it doesn't recognize Myrina Oct 2013 #202

There are probably a million of those unusable accounts piled up by now. chill_wind Oct 2013 #201

I went to my state's exchange and navigated the site. Worked beautifully. bluestate10 Oct 2013 #185

gosh H2O Man Oct 2013 #187

You had my permission at 9:39 A.M. October 4, 2013. The Midway Rebel Oct 2013 #188

Please, please try to calm down. tnlefty Oct 2013 #190

Well, CERTAINLY not now! It's way, way too early! jazzimov Oct 2013 #192

Thank you for this opportunity to "Trash Thread." Cerridwen Oct 2013 #193

Unless I miss my guess, BlueStreak Oct 2013 #200

Krugman: Good Glitches ProSense Oct 2013 #194

It's being fixed as we speak... and frankly if you didn't expect these kinds of problems SomethingFishy Oct 2013 #196