(Washington Post) The nation's most populous state has elected to temporarily shutter its new online health insurance marketplace for small business only four months after it launched, dealing yet another blow to a key element of the health care law meant to lower costs for employers.
California officials on Wednesday announced they are suspending online enrollment effective immediately for small businesses on the state's new health insurance portal, known as Covered California. Health plans available through the state's Small Business Health Options Program (or SHOP) will still be available but can only be purchased over the phone, via paper applications or through insurance agents.
State health officials say they will use the time to "implement a series of redesigns."
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