by Megan Haymond

On Monday, October 21, President Obama publicly defended the Affordable Care Act despite technical issues. HealthCare.gov was malfunctioning making it impossible to sign up for care online. However, Obama highlighted toll-free numbers and other ways to sign up while the website is down. Republicans are pointing to a problem greater than the Affordable Care Acts website, stating Obama-care offers less options and higher premiums. Obama also ensured the site will be up to par in no time and the best workers are looking at it.

Due to the newness of the site and law, it is no surprise the site isn’t perfect. Therefore a few complications with a website in no way reflects the law, but it does reflect the difficulty it will be to provide government-run health care. Many are concerned that healthcare will become like the dreaded Department of Motor Vehicles. Keeping track of millions of people’s billing rates and healthcare details is a huge undertaking and the website’s malfunctions shows some of the many hurdles that a government-run healthcare must overcome.

            The Washington Post and ABC news conducted a survey showing 56% of Americans believe the website flaws shed light on a greater issue. Obama urged people to register other ways to meet the deadline of January 1 before benefits take place. However, healthcare does not depend on a website, but it should be dependable and Obama has yet to prove a tangible way for the government to run health care without driving up prices or reducing the quality of care.

[Edit: Since publication, the deadline for registration has been extended to March 31, 2014]