The Obamacare Sign-Ups No One Is Talking About

story here http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/11/08/obamacare-states_n_4234441.html

"Obamacare's first month was a mess. After nearly 40 days, HealthCare.gov still doesn't work right, derailing health insurance sign-ups for those in the more than 30 states using the website.

But sign-up efforts in the states that aren't using Healthcare.gov tell a different story. These 14 states and the District of Columbia decided to create their own health insurance marketplaces, and some have seen tremendous success. Others, like Maryland and Oregon, are hampered by problems like those imperiling the federally run site.

Obamacare's fate in these states is just as uncertain as at the federal level, yet success there is crucial if the law is to take hold and thrive. Grass-roots, state-run success stories could inspire others to do more to help the law in the future, while failures could further undermine support for the entire endeavor.

Here's a look at sign-up efforts in the states that aren't using HealthCare.gov.

California

America's most populous state -- and home to 15 percent of the nation's uninsured -- set itself up to be Obamacare's bellwether. Covered California took in more than 47,000 applications for coverage during the first five weeks of enrollment.

Keith Colmar, 61, already is benefitting from the Affordable Care Act. The unemployed plumber dropped his insurance last month because he couldn't afford the $500 monthly premium. "It was either that or not make a mortgage payment," said Colmar, who lives in Tustin, about 30 miles south of Los Angeles.

Last week, he decided to see if Covered California could help. The result: he's getting no-cost coverage from Medi-Cal, the state's Medicaid program. California is among the about half of states expanding Medicaid to more low-income residents. "I called the 800-number and in 20 seconds I got ahold of a human being and discussed everything," Colmar said.

California has its share of problems, too. The state hasn't been certifying workers tasked with helping people enroll at the expected speed, leaving the 10-person team working for the Community Health Alliance of Pasadena unable to actually sit down and help people fill out applications until this week, said CEO Margaret Martinez."