CMS Head: ‘I Can Guarantee ... We Have a System that Is Working’

BRADY: "So, you know, you've been described as a quarterback of the ObamaCare rollout. I'm sure that's not the term you chose for yourself, but can you guarantee no American will experience a gap in their health care?"
TAVENNER: "So, what I can guarantee is, we have a system that's working. We're going to improve the speed of that system --"
BRADY: "Excuse me?"
TAVENNER: "Yes?"
BRADY: "You're saying the system right now is working?"
TAVENNER: "I'm saying it's working, it's just not working at the speed that we want and at the success rate that we want, and those are the things we are working on. We also have alternative methods for folks. They can use the call center, use paper applications, then we have in-person assistance available in each available in each state. We can reach out to each individual and help them select the plan and enroll. Yes, sir."
BRADY: "To my point, this is not supposed to be fixed until November 1st. People have just two weeks to apply, enroll, be confirmed. So what happens on January 1st? When they have an illness, need patient care, have not heard back from the government. What do they do then?"
TAVENNER:"They have until March 31st to enroll."
BRADY: "No. Their plan has been canceled."
TAVENNER: "You're talking about people who --"
BRADY: "Again, I'm just trying to -- what my constituents want to know, what happens?"
TAVENNER: "The individuals who receive notices from their issuers is a different situation. They can certainly, obviously, sign up, transfer as we talked about earlier with Blue Cross of Florida or they can go on the exchange or call the call center."
BRADY: "My point is, it's been canceled. They don't have health care. They try to get on the website unsuccessfully. They don't know if they're enrolled. It's January 1st. They are facing a gap in coverage. What do you tell them?"
TAVENNER: "They can call the call center today and we will help them. We can help them through the call center. We have people in their individual markets that can help them in person. So there are more methods than just the website. That's important."
BRADY: "I think what's become clear, as well, is ObamaCare is not ready. The question is, Why don't we make it voluntary? So they aren't forced into this health care that they do not want? Chairman, I yield back."