SALEM, Ore. — Gov. Kate Brown has delivered the final blow to Cover Oregon, the state’s troubled health insurance exchange that spent $300 million but never launched a working website to enroll people in health coverage.
Brown signed a bill Friday abolishing the semi-independent corporation originally created to oversee the project.
The agency’s functions will be folded into the Oregon Department of Consumer and Business Services. Consumers won’t notice much difference, and they can continue to sign up for health insurance through a federal website, HealthCare.gov.
Abolishing Cover Oregon is a symbolic shift away from a blunder that embarrassed former Gov. John Kitzhaber and other senior state officials. It also gives the Legislature more control over its budget and operations.