SAN FRANCISCO » Oracle CEO Larry Ellison says the business software maker is helping the Obama administration fix the technological problems preventing people from signing up for government-mandated health insurance.

Ellison told shareholders at Oracle’s annual meeting today that the Redwood Shores, Calif. company is pitching in with other government contractors in an effort to make Healthcare.gov more reliable and secure. He didn’t say how many Oracle engineers are addressing the issues that have crippled the website during its first month of operation.

"Most of us want to see our government operating efficiently and effectively and it is incumbent upon us to help them do that," Ellison said.

Exasperation with the buggy computers has been compounded by concerns that the website lacks the security measures needed to protect the sensitive information of people looking for insurance.

The Obama administration has pledged the website will be running smoothly by Nov. 30.

The U.S. government has long been one of Oracle Corp.’s biggest customers. Ellison cited that relationship as one of the reasons Oracle is getting involved with the troubleshooting at Healthcare.gov.