This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-24737591

The article has changed 10 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 1 Version 2
Kathleen Sebelius to testify about US health website Kathleen Sebelius to testify about US health website
(about 4 hours later)
President Barack Obama's embattled health secretary is set to testify over the botched rollout of his US healthcare law's insurance website. US President Barack Obama's embattled health secretary is set to testify over the botched rollout of his healthcare law's insurance marketplace websites.
Kathleen Sebelius is set to be grilled by legislators from both parties frustrated with the 1 October rollout. Kathleen Sebelius will be questioned by legislators from both parties frustrated with the 1 October rollout.
Before the glitches, the site had been projected to enrol 7 million uninsured Americans in the first year. The sites had been projected to enrol seven million uninsured Americans in the first year.
On Tuesday, the director of the agency responsible for the website apologised to a separate panel.On Tuesday, the director of the agency responsible for the website apologised to a separate panel.
Marilyn Tavenner, head of the US Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), said a "subset" of contractors on the project had "not met expectations".Marilyn Tavenner, head of the US Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), said a "subset" of contractors on the project had "not met expectations".
'Along the way''Along the way'
Ms Sebelius, the Secretary of Health and Human Services, will testify in front of the House energy and commerce committee on Wednesday, her first defence of the website in front of legislators since the launch of the healthcare.gov site. Ms Sebelius, the secretary of health and human services, will testify in front of the House energy and commerce committee on Wednesday, her first defence of the website in front of legislators since the launch of the healthcare.gov site.
Republicans have called for her resignation over the issue and argue the problems with the website that prevent consumers from signing up reflect broader problems with the healthcare law. Republicans have called for her resignation over the issue. They argue the problems with the website that prevent consumers from signing up reflect broader problems with the healthcare law, which passed in 2010 and which they have sought to repeal or undermine at every turn.
Democrats who support the president's law have also expressed frustration with the rollout, worried that it will poison public opinion on the programme.Democrats who support the president's law have also expressed frustration with the rollout, worried that it will poison public opinion on the programme.
Pennsylvania Democrat Representative Allyson Schwartz said on Tuesday the administration had "failed to take action to recognise and fix these problems along the way". Pennsylvania Democratic Representative Allyson Schwartz said on Tuesday the administration had "failed to take action to recognise and fix these problems along the way".
"That initial experience has really done some damage to Americans' confidence in this website, in the marketplace and even potentially in the options that they would have available to get health coverage.""That initial experience has really done some damage to Americans' confidence in this website, in the marketplace and even potentially in the options that they would have available to get health coverage."
The law, known as the Affordable Care Act, is a defining element of Mr Obama's presidency, analysts say. The law, known as the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, is a defining element of Mr Obama's presidency, analysts say.
Ms Sebelius has travelled around the US in the past weeks to tout the healthcare law's benefits to those not previously covered by their employers or government programmes for the poor and elderly.Ms Sebelius has travelled around the US in the past weeks to tout the healthcare law's benefits to those not previously covered by their employers or government programmes for the poor and elderly.
Before 1 October, she appeared confident the online health insurance markets would be ready in time. Before 1 October, she appeared confident the online health insurance markets - run by some states as well as the federal government - would be ready in time.
She is expected to face questions from legislators about what she knew about the technical issues and when.She is expected to face questions from legislators about what she knew about the technical issues and when.
Healthcare.gov is one part of the larger law, which includes increased requirements for insurance firms, a requirement that individuals carry insurance or pay a tax penalty, and subsidies for those who qualify to assist in the cost of the insurance. Aside from establishing the healthcare.gov health insurance marketplace website and others run by the states, the law increases coverage requirements for insurance firms, mandates that individuals carry insurance or pay a tax penalty, and offers subsidies to assist in the purchase of the insurance.
Amid the fallout, the White House has said it will grant a six-week extension - through 31 March 2014 - in the healthcare law's requirement for individuals to buy insurance or face a tax penalty.Amid the fallout, the White House has said it will grant a six-week extension - through 31 March 2014 - in the healthcare law's requirement for individuals to buy insurance or face a tax penalty.
On Tuesday, Ms Tavenner was the latest of several Obama administration officials, including the president himself, who have admitted the website's operation is not acceptable, but argue the overall law is strong. On Tuesday, Ms Tavenner became the latest of several Obama administration officials, including the president himself, to acknowledge the website's operation was unacceptable while arguing the overall law was strong.
"To the millions of Americans who've attempted to use healthcare.gov to shop and enrol in healthcare coverage, I want to apologise to you that the website has not worked as well as it should," she said."To the millions of Americans who've attempted to use healthcare.gov to shop and enrol in healthcare coverage, I want to apologise to you that the website has not worked as well as it should," she said.
Ms Tavenner told the House ways and means committee she expected "the experience on the site will be smooth for the vast majority of users" towards the end of November. Ms Tavenner told the House ways and means committee she expected "the experience on the site will be smooth for the vast majority of users" towards the end of November.
She also noted that 700,000 people had applied for insurance so far, but said under questioning the administration would not have numbers on those actually enrolled until mid-November. She also noted that 700,000 people had applied for insurance so far, but said the administration would not have numbers on those actually enrolled until mid-November.
Republicans also used Ms Tavenner's appearance to suggest Mr Obama lied when he said those with existing insurance could keep their policies under the law.Republicans also used Ms Tavenner's appearance to suggest Mr Obama lied when he said those with existing insurance could keep their policies under the law.
"Can you understand the level of frustration and concern about what many Americans perceive to be a false claim from the administration?" Illinois Republican Representative Peter Roskam asked Ms Tavenner."Can you understand the level of frustration and concern about what many Americans perceive to be a false claim from the administration?" Illinois Republican Representative Peter Roskam asked Ms Tavenner.
The claim comes amid reports of insurance firms cancelling plans that do not fit the law's requirements. Many Americans have received letters saying their policies were being cancelled because insurers could not meet new coverage requirements under the law.
It is unclear how many people are affected by such changes but individual reports have shown some consumers are being asked to pay higher premiums in their newer plans.It is unclear how many people are affected by such changes but individual reports have shown some consumers are being asked to pay higher premiums in their newer plans.
Ms Tavenner argued insurance firms were to blame for dropped policies. Ms Tavenner argued insurance firms were to blame for dropped policies. The Obama administration also argues the new policies will offer better care.