Rep. Buchanan to CMS Head: ‘How You Could Think That the System Is Working’

BUCHANAN: “The other point I just wanted to mention, I think you said, I’m trying to quote what you said, you thought the system is working. Did you say that? So you thought the system, the ACA is working?”
TAVENNER: “I think we've seen a lot of improvements from the ACA, yes, sir.”
BUCHANAN: “Let me tell you, it's a public relations nightmare. I hope that you honestly don't feel that you think the system’s working. This is just an incredibly bad rollout. There's a lot that needs to be done. I can't imagine how you can think that the system’s working. And my concern is frankly with such bad experience, so many people going to the site trying to get on and get insurance, why would they want to get involved in a product that might not, if they had such a bad experience up front, I've been in business 30 years, why would you want to get involved with a company or product that in the next two or three years, you have a concern or issue that you might get the same treatment where you can't get a hold of anybody?”
TAVENNER: “Well I think if you talk to individuals who have successfully enrolled, they would tell you they are quite satisfied what they are able to get in terms of pricing and product.”
BUCHANAN: “My sense, 70, 80 percent of people have not [inaudible] through and I don’t know how they can feel good about moving forward with health care if they can’t even get online to buy, you know, do business.”