Washington, DC — According to reporting from Politico, the Trump administration has refused to reopen the federal ACA marketplace to allow the uninsured to purchase health insurance during the global pandemic, despite calls from health insurers and lawmakers to do so to slow the spread of the virus and save American lives. Numerous states are leading the way by opening their state-run marketplaces in response to the growing threat of the coronavirus. In response to the Trump administration’s shameful decision that puts lives at risk, Protect Our Care Executive Director Brad Woodhouse released the following statement:
“President Trump is putting American lives at risk by hurting the uninsured at a time when people need health care the most. President Trump’s all-out assault on health care does not only extend to the 20 million Americans he’s trying to rip health care away from with his disastrous lawsuit, but he’s also making it more burdensome for the recently unemployed to enroll through the federal marketplace and barring others from purchasing insurance from the marketplace entirely. This president’s dizzying lack of leadership or regard for the wellbeing of Americans during a time of crisis is shameful, but unsurprising from a president who’s tried to sabotage Americans’ health care since his first day in office and whose lack of concern or preparedness has allowed the virus to spread.”