New Census data released today makes clear that actions taken by the Trump administration have directly contributed to nearly two million more Americans being uninsured. News outlets cited Trump’s “hostile” policies that injected chaos into the health care system as the main cause.
CNBC: Rate Of Insured Americans Decreases For The First Time Since Obamacare Started In 2014. “In response to the recent report, experts are saying the increase in the number of people lacking health insurance is the result of the Trump administration’s efforts to undermine the ACA.” [CNBC, 9/10/19]
The Washington Post: As Census Data Reveals Uptick In Uninsured, Health Care Experts Point To “Chilling Effect” From The Trump Administration’s Efforts To Restrict Medicaid Access. “Health policy experts interpreted those patterns as evidence of a chilling effect from the Trump administration’s efforts to restrict several forms of public assistance, including Medicaid for immigrants seeking to remain in the United States. In addition, the number of low-income Americans on Medicaid tends to decline when the economy expands, as it did last year, while some states have been clamping down on eligibility and following the administration’s urging to impose work requirements in the program.” [The Washington Post, 9/10/19]
The New York Times: Policy Changes Under The Trump Administration “Made A Difference” In Rising Uninsured Rate. “… policy changes under the Trump administration, which has been hostile to the health law, have made a difference. The administration also cut back on advertising and enrollment assistance, programs that helped low income people learn about the new insurance programs, among other changes that may have depressed Obamacare enrollments. [The New York Times, 9/10/19]
CNN: Rise In Uninsured Rate “Marks The First Coverage Setback Since The Affordable Care Act Was Passed In 2010.” “The drop in the 2018 uninsured rate marks the first coverage setback since the Affordable Care Act was passed in 2010. TSince taking office, Trump and the GOP have sought to dismantle the Affordable Care Act. The President cut the open enrollment period for the exchanges and slashed funding for advertising and enrollment assistance. Also, the Republican-led Congress effectively eliminated the mandate that Americans obtain insurance or pay a penalty, starting this year.” [CNN, 9/10/19]