I have zero to do with computer programming. I didn’t stay at a Holiday Inn Express either, but it seems to me that the government website should not have even been necessary.
A page on the existing HHS website listing the Ins. Companies participating, and their contact info, and maybe a link to the Ins. Company’s website is all that should have been necessary.
The major insurers already have websites. They didn’t need a stinkin’ government website.
What would that have cost? Very little comparitively speaking I am sure. Cluster Click? You betcha.
However, such an approach would've left the insurance company websites in control of the portal to Obamacare.
When you're objective is total control, you're not interested in farming anything out.