Democrats decry undercover probe of HealthCare.gov, but investigator says it exposed concerns

Senior Democrats are pushing back against an undercover government probe of President Barack Obama's health care law. Investigators signed up bogus beneficiaries, then got their coverage renewed — with bigger taxpayer subsidies.

Oregon Democratic Sen. Ron Wyden said Thursday the probe did not uncover any real-world fraud and the investigators themselves admit the findings don't apply to the 10 million people getting coverage. Wyden spoke at a hearing on the investigation by the nonpartisan Government Accountability Office.

But GAO's audits chief said the investigation exposed real concerns. He said it was relatively easy for GAO's fictitious characters to get and keep coverage.

He added that HealthCare.gov seems to put a higher priority on getting people covered than on verifying they are entitled to benefits.

GAO is Congress' investigative arm.