Could HHS have averted all of HealthCare.gov's tech hiccups?

Staff -

The HealthCare.gov launch was notoriously rocky, but wouldn't obstacles be inevitable for such a massive undertaking? A new report to be released by government investigators reveals HHS was given ample feedback on the project's shortcomings prior to its launch data, according to a report from The Washington Post.

The report details a two-year inquiry led by the Office of Inspector General. Before the Oct. 1, 2013, launch of HealthCare.gov, HHS received 18 written warnings focused on the project's mismanagement. Additionally, Kathleen Sebelius, former HHS secretary, hired another outside consultant to weigh in on the project. The feedback was never shared with the team developing the website, according to The Washington Post report. The website did not undergo end-to-end testing prior to launch.

Despite the warnings in hand, HealthCare.gov went to its ill-fated launch without delay and the website crashed within hours of launching. The debacle was widely discussed, and now the new report provides the background to understand how the website sailed toward its rough start.

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