Burwell cited a 25% increase in the number of insurers participating in the exchanges as evidence that the fledgling marketplaces are working. “The risk pool is something, obviously, that the insurers believe is a risk pool that works for them economically, or they wouldn't be entering and putting plans in the marketplace,” she said.
Burwell also acknowledged that issues with back-end operations on the website continue. Specifically, she cited problems with paying insurers and interactions with the Internal Revenue Service as areas where work continues.
“We are prioritizing as we go through, but continuing to make progress on back-end issues,” she said.
Burwell also addressed the Ebola crisis during the forum. She has been involved in daily meetings since July to discuss efforts to contain the virus, she said. “Everyone knows the nation is frightened and people are frightened of this disease,” Burwell said.
Thomas Eric Duncan, the only confirmed case of Ebola in the U.S., died Wednesday. A second man, who indicated that he'd been in contact with Duncan, has been admitted to Texas Health Presbyterian Hospital Dallas for treatment after showing some symptoms consistent with the disease.
The hospital reported Thursday morning that he was in good condition with “no fever, no vomiting, no diarrhea.”
Burwell noted that U.S. troops on the ground in West Africa are making progress in constructing Ebola treatment units. She also indicated that they are working on building a 25-bed facility where medical personnel from around the world will be able to stay safely.
“The numbers are going to increase before we can get to a leveling-off point,” Burwell said of the outbreak.
Follow Paul Demko on Twitter: @MHpdemko
