Maryland Gubernatorial Candidates Fight Over Health Exchange Failure

Maryland gubernatorial candidate Attorney General Doug Gansler and his running mate blame their opponent for the Democratic nomination Lt. Gov. Anthony Brown for botching the rollout of the state's online health insurance site.

"He says he was involved in this failure and he was not honest with the people of Maryland in terms of what he knew and when,“ Gansler said.

While refusing to call it a coverup, Gansler accused Brown of known a year ahead of time that the site was going to fail.

Gov. Martin O'Malley put Brown in charge of developing the state health exchange. Reports indicate for a year prior to the rollout there were warnings it could be a disaster.

On CNN’s “State of the Union" Sunday, O'Malley acknowledged they're still working through the problems.

Criticism is also coming from state Delegate Heather Mizeur, of Montgomery County, who is also running for the nomination.

"It is clear that the administration's failure of leadership has put many families in jeopardy of being uninsured,” she said. “It is time for the General Assembly to take over, put campaigning aside and make sure we get this right for those who need health coverage most."

Brown said a short-term fix is coming.

"For those Marylanders who have been unable to get insurance for no fault of their own through the exchange we will be introducing legislation this week on an emergency basis to provide sort of a bridge coverage for them in the Md health insurance plan.”

Gansler challenged Brown to be at the hearing for emergency legislation Tuesday in Annapolis. Brown said he’ll be there.

Contact Us