Regional Public Journalism
Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations
Dispatches from public radio's correspondent at the Oregon Legislature. This is a venue for political and policy coverage of the state government in Salem and its impact on the people of Oregon.

Feds Confirm Investigation Into Cover Oregon

Rob Ketcherside
/
Flickr
Headquarters of the Government Accountability Office in Washington, D.C.

Federal officials confirmed Wednesday that they will investigate the troubled roll-out of Oregon's health insurance exchange website.

The Government Accountability Office accepted a request from three Oregon members of Congress to look into the problems of Cover Oregon. The exchange has spent more than $200 million in federal grant money but still does not allow members of the public to enroll online.

The announcement pleased Cover Oregon critics in Salem such as Republican Representative Dennis Richardson.

"We need to clarify what really went on, what transpired, so that there are not false allegations or under or over-estimates of what took place," he said. "We need facts, so that the people can put this matter behind them."

Richardson is also running for governor. The office of Democratic Governor John Kitzhaber did not respond to a request for comment.

The GAO says its probe will also include other states, bout it did not specify which ones.