Obama says problems with health care law unacceptableOctober 22, 2013 - 13:05 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - President Barack Obama has acknowledged that widespread problems with his new health care law are unacceptable, as the government tries to fix the glitches, The Associated Press said. Obama is due to make his first health care-focused speech since a cascade of computer problems with "Obamacare" became apparent. The troublesome introduction of the health care exchanges has been an embarrassment for Obama's signature legislative achievement and could impact on next year's Congressional elections as well as the president's legacy. The troubles were overshadowed, however, by Republican efforts to delay or cut funds for Obamacare in exchange for reopening the government during the 16-day shutdown which began the same day as health care law was rolled out. The bill that eventually reopened the government included no substantive changes to the health care law. Solutions include more staff at call centres where people can apply for insurance by phone and the use of technology experts from inside and outside government to help diagnose the issues. Nearly a half million applications have been filed through the federal- and state-run exchanges. Users must file applications before they can enroll, in part to find out whether they are eligible for government subsidies. Administration officials initially blamed a high volume of interest for the frozen screens that many people encountered. Since then, they have also acknowledged problems with software and some elements of the system's design. Despite the widespread problems, the White House has yet to fully explain what went wrong with the online system consumers were supposed to use to sign up for coverage. Related links: Top stories Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev arrived in Moscow on April 22 to hold talks with Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin. Authorities said a total of 192 Azerbaijani troops were killed and 511 were wounded during Azerbaijan’s offensive. In 2023, the Azerbaijani government will increase the country’s defense budget by more than 1.1 billion manats ($650 million). The bill, published on Monday, is designed to "eliminate the shortcomings of an unreasonably broad interpretation of the key concept of "compatriot". Partner news | Pashinyan’s spokesperson denies intention to visit Baku for COP29 Pashinyan’s agenda doesn’t include a trip to Baku for the COP29 conference, his press secretary Nazeli Baghdasaryan has said. Lithuania sending €100,000 to help Armenia fight floods consequences Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan took to social media to thank his Lithuanian counterpart for the contribution. Armenia: Rescue workers restore pedestrian bridge for flood-hit community Rescue workers on Wednesday, June 5 restored a pedestrian bridge in the town of Alaverdi in Armenia’s north. Turkey condemns Uruguay’s recognition of Armenian Genocide Turkey has condemned a newly passed law in Uruguay that recognizes the Armenian Genocide, TRT reports. |