Calif. Health Exchange Criticized For Sign-Ups

SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) — California's health insurance exchange is coming under heavy criticism for its lackluster efforts to sign up Latinos and for continued paperwork problems that have left some consumers in limbo.

Members of Covered California's board of directors also questioned whether spending millions of dollars to ramp up a marketing campaign was the right approach while systemic problems persist with the health exchange.

At the board's meeting Thursday, consumer advocacy groups and insurance agents cited continued long wait times on the exchange's telephone call centers. They say there are numerous problems with the online enrollment site and multi-week lag times in getting paperwork to insurance companies.

Sen. Norma Torres, speaking on behalf of the legislative Latino Caucus, said Latinos face numerous obstacles to enrolling, but marketing is not one.

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