Healthcare.gov problems shine light on kludgy government tech

A woman looks at the HealthCare.gov insurance exchange internet site October 1, 2013 in Washington, DC. Have you shopped around through Covered California?

The on-going problems with the healthcare.gov site might have one positive effect. They're creating a new push to overhaul the governments often kludgy IT processes.

The on-going problems with the federal health care exchange web site have focused attention of the government's often flawed and cumbersome technology programs. And it's easier to focus the mind when you learn that we spend $80 billion of taxpayer dollars every year on Federal government IT projects.

A lack of oversight and accountability. Not enough people with the specialized skills required. An arcane and inefficient procurement process. Too many requirements and regulations. These are just at the top of a long list of what tech experts say is wrong with the way the government does its digital business.

Politico tech reporter Jessica Meyers has been looking into problems with government IT projects, and at efforts to fix them.

She says there's one silver lining in the healthcare.gov fiasco. It's created a new interest in what is ordinarily not a sexy topic in Washington - government technology. And she thinks reforming the IT process is one of the few areas where Democrats and Republicans can find agreement.