Which Way, L.A.?
Another Extension for California's Healthcare Exchange
Lost applications, hours on the phone and frustrated consumers are trying to access their new health insurance. Even people not using Obamacare are feeling the effects.
By Madeleine Brand • • 15m ListenLost applications, wasted hours on the phone and frustrated consumers are trying to access their new health insurance. Even people not using Obamacare are feeling the ripple effects. Also, how the disappearing sardine is having a big effect off the coast of California. Guest host Madeleine Brand looks at the bureaucratic delays and shifting deadlines of the California healthcare roll-out.
On our rebroadcast of today's To the Point, back from its recess, the Senate is considering reinstating federal unemployment benefits for the 1.3 million who have been out of work for more than six months and who lost them over the holidays when the program expired. Guest host Barbara Bogaev looks at the politics, economics and uncertain future of extended federal jobless aid.
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In this episode
2 storiesBureaucratic Delays, Shifting Deadlines: CA Healthcare Rollout
The Affordable Care Act, called Covered California here, continues to confuse people who want to sign up. The rush of new applicants has created a backlog of applications in California. The good news is that if you're late on a premium payment, you now have until January 15 to pay for coverage that was scheduled to begin January 1.
Read the story10 minWest Coast Sardines Vanishing, Threatening Ecosystem
Maybe it's time to hoard those unopened sardine cans. The sardine population off the coast of California is disappearing. Last fall, scientists noted the population had dropped 72 percent since its peak seven years ago, and that means trouble up the food chain.
Read the story6 min
