This screen image shows the website for Oregon's health care exchange. House Republicans intent on highlighting the woes of President Barack Obama's health care law need to look no further than their own back yards, some of which are traditionally liberal strongholds. In Oregon, the online portal has struggled to sign up a single individual, and Republican Rep. Greg Walden recently sent a letter to the U.S. Government Accountability Office pressing for an inquiry. Officials in both states insist they are working to fix the problems.The investigative arm of Congress has agreed to look into problems with state health exchange websites around the country.
The U.S. Government Accountability Office on Wednesday agreed to a request from a group of House Republicans to audit how $304 million in federal grants were spent on the Cover Oregon website, which has yet to enroll a single person online without special assistance.
The agency said due to similar requests from several members of Congress and congressional committees related to the rollout of online health care exchanges, it would broaden the investigation.
GAO spokesman Charles Young says just which states will be included with Oregon will be determined as the investigation goes forward.
Republicans have been stepping up their attacks on troubled health exchanges during this election year.