Oregon races to join federal exchange

The Oregonian: Cover Oregon: Officials Talk Long Road Ahead For Health Insurance Exchange Transition 
Transitioning Cover Oregon to a federal health insurance exchange will require significant work in three areas: technology, efficiency and finance, administrators told legislators Wednesday. Interim Director Clyde Hamstreet and transition project director Tina Edlund laid out the long road ahead during legislative work sessions before two interim health care committees (Driessen, 5/28).

The Associated Press:  Lawmakers Question Cover Oregon On Backup Plans
Oregon lawmakers on Wednesday urged state officials to look into backup plans in case Cover Oregon isn't ready to use the federal government's online health insurance enrollment system before the November deadline. Officials told House and Senate health care committees Wednesday that consultants are preparing an in-depth analysis of the work that needs to be done to get the website ready by the time the enrollment period begins Nov. 15 (Cooper, 5/28). 

Meanwhile, in Washington state -

The Seattle Times:  It's Not Too Late For Residents To Get Health Insurance
After all the hubbub over the end of open enrollment for individual health insurance, state officials have a message for the uninsured: For many of you, it's not too late. That's because there are  special circumstances that allow people - particularly younger people - to get insured throughout the year. The exemptions are mainly triggered by changes in someone's family or work situation (Stiffler, 5/28).