Virginia Members of Congress Urge Trump Administration to Reopen Obamacare Enrollment During Coronavirus Pandemic 

From the Joe Biden for President campaign:

Virginia Members of Congress Urge Trump Administration to Reopen Obamacare Enrollment During Coronavirus Pandemic 

Today, Virginia Members of Congress slammed the Trump Administration over its refusal to reopen Affordable Care Act enrollment amid the COVID-19 crisis and urged President Trump to listen to calls from health care providers and public health officials.

A special enrollment period would extend the opportunity for those without health insurance to seek out coverage — but instead, Trump is preventing hundreds of thousands of uninsured Virginians from access to health care during a public health crisis.

“Millions of Americans don’t have health insurance in the midst of the worst global pandemic we’ve faced in decades, and the Trump administration has made the decision to actively prevent them from getting covered. Refusing to open enrollment for those who are uninsured during this crisis is deliberately cruel and dangerous. Access to affordable health care will save lives — especially right now,” said Congresswoman Jennifer Wexton.

“As COVID-19 takes hold in communities across the Commonwealth and country, the administration should be creating more avenues for patients to sign up for coverage and obtain the critical treatment they need. During this difficult time, we need to expand access to affordable health coverage, not block opportunities for our neighbors to sign up for health insurance. Expanding access to the health insurance marketplace right now is a clear way to save lives throughout our nation, and the administration must reverse its course on this decision. We’ve reached an all hands on deck moment, and we can’t delay in using every resource available to slow the spread and treat the sick,” said Congresswoman Abigail Spanberger.

“As our nation continues to address the Coronavirus pandemic, ensuring access to affordable health coverage is vital in protecting American families. Re-opening the enrollment period for the Affordable Care Act’s Marketplace is a simple step to improve access to coverage, and yet President Trump is refusing to act. I commend former Vice President Biden for his comprehensive plan to address this pandemic. In the midst of this public health emergency, the President and his administration should take every step possible to mitigate the spread of COVID-19 and ensure that everyone can access timely and affordable health care,” said Congressman Bobby Scott.

“As communities across the nation battle to curb the spread of coronavirus, Donald Trump’s decision to bar uninsured Americans from purchasing healthcare exceeds his administration’s negligence to protect Americans throughout this crisis and crosses the line into intentional cruelty. The experts have made this much clear: to effectively defeat the coronavirus, public health must remain our number one priority. I call on the president to put aside the partisan politics of attacking the Affordable Care Act and show compassion in this crisis for the millions of uninsured Americans grappling with protecting their families during the pandemic,” said Congressman Donald McEachin.

“Virginians need access to health care coverage now more than ever. An additional open enrollment period under the Affordable Care Act is an important and needed resource during this public health crisis. In Congress, I advocate for improving access to health care access; and we expect a President who will do the same,” said Congresswoman Elaine Luria.

“This decision may kill Americans. President Trump’s record on health care was already abysmal, from his ongoing attempts to sabotage and repeal the Affordable Care Act to his weakening of Medicaid and approval of junk plans. But this is a new low which will seriously harm people in Virginia and across the country. People have already died because they did not have access to healthcare during the COVID-19 pandemic. The President is now intentionally ensuring that this can happen again. What a despicable way to treat those who need help in a time of crisis. They need to rethink this,” said Congressman Don Beyer.