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ICYMI: Democratic Governors Urge Trump Administration to Hold Special Open Enrollment Period During COVID-19 Pandemic

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On Monday, a coalition of 12 Democratic governors led by Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer sent a letter to the Trump administration, urging U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Alex Azar and Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services Administrator Seema Verma to hold a special enrollment period on the federal health care exchange.
The Trump administration announced on March 31st that they had decided against holding a special Affordable Care Act enrollment period, leaving millions of uninsured Americans without the option to get health care coverage during the pandemic.
The letter from the governors asked the administration to reconsider this irresponsible decision, explaining that uninsured or underinsured Americans may decide to not seek help for coronavirus symptoms because they fear the high cost of testing and treatment. The governors said, “Not only is this unacceptable, it’s also dangerous as it undermines our ability as a nation to stop the spread of COVID19.”
Read more about the Democratic governors’ letter below:
The Hill: 12 governors press Trump for special ObamaCare enrollment period amid coronavirus pandemic
A dozen Democratic U.S. governors are calling on the Trump administration to open a special ObamaCare enrollment period amid the coronavirus pandemic.
The governors stressed the necessity of health coverage for their uninsured or underinsured constituents who may choose to forgo COVID-19 testing and treatment over fear of potential costs.
“It is essential that we remove every barrier as quickly as possible to ensure those in our states and across the country are able to access the treatment they need,” they wrote in a Monday letter sent to Health and Human Services Secretary Alex Azar and Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services Administrator Seema Verma.
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The Detroit News: Whitmer joins governors asking for special insurance enrollment period
Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer and 11 other Democratic governors asked the federal government Monday to allow for a special 30-day period for individuals to enroll in the federal health care exchange amid the coronavirus pandemic. 
The letter notes several states have waived copayments for Medicaid recipients for COVID-19 testing and treatment and have encouraged private insurers to also waive those fees. 
But more needs to be done, the letter to Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Alex Azar and Centers of Medicare and Medicaid Services Administrator Seema Verma said. 
[…]
WXYZ: Gov. Whitmer calls on Trump administration to increase access to affordable health care
Governor Gretchen Whitmer is leading a coalition of 12 governors calling on the Trump administration to increase access to affordable health care.
Whitmer is joined by the governors of Delaware, Illinois, Maine, Montana, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Virginia and Wisconsin.
The governors sent a letter to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services to ask for a special enrollment period of at least 30 days on the federal health care exchange.
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News Center Maine: Gov. Mills joins group of governors calling on Trump administration to increase access to affordable health care amid the coronavirus pandemic
Maine Governor Janet Mills (D) joined a coalition of governors from Delaware, Illinois, Michigan, Montana, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Virginia and Wisconsin on Monday in writing to U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Alex Azar and Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) Administrator Seema Verma to ask the administration to reconsider its decision and take swift action to allow for a special enrollment period of at least 30 days on the federal health care exchange amid the coronavirus pandemic.
“In the midst of one of the worst public health crises of our lifetimes, it is more important than ever to ensure that Maine people can see their doctor, receive the care they need, and stay healthy,” Gov. Mills said. “I join other governors nationwide in urging the Administration to ease access to critical health care by opening the federal health care exchange during this unprecedented time.”
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The Center Square Maine: Maine governor, others seek reopening of health insurance marketplace
Twelve governors, including Maine Gov. Janet Mills, sent a letter to U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Alex Azar and Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) Administrator Seema Verma on Monday asking them to open up a 30-day enrollment period through the federal Health Insurance Marketplace.
“Too many of our constituents are uninsured or underinsured despite the steps we’ve taken at the state level,” the governors wrote. “As a result, far too many of our residents are choosing to forgo coronavirus testing and treatment out of fear of the potential costs to themselves and their families. It is essential that we remove every barrier as quickly as possible to ensure those in our states and across the country are able to access the treatment they need.”
[…]
NBC 25 News: Whitmer leads 12 governors asking Trump to allow special enrollment for healthcare
Governor Gretchen Whitmer along with governors from Delaware, Illinois, Maine, Montana, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Virginia and Wisconsin formed a coalition asking the Trump administration to allow a special enrollment period of at least 30 days on the federal health care exchange.
“Too many of our constituents are uninsured or under-insured despite the steps we’ve taken at the state level,” the governors said. “As a result, far too many of our residents are choosing to forgo coronavirus testing and treatment out of fear of the potential costs to themselves and their families. It is essential that we remove every barrier as quickly as possible to ensure those in our states and across the country are able to access the treatment they need. One of the most effective ways this can be done is by opening up a federal special enrollment period to give everyone the chance to enroll in a health plan that offers the coverage they need with access to any qualifying subsidies.”
[…]
MLive: Gov. Whitmer partners with 11 states to ask for special national open enrollment period for health insurance
Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer along with the governors of 11 other states is asking the federal government to open the Affordable Care Act Marketplace to citizens in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Millions of Americans have lost their jobs as a result of the spread of the virus and in turn, lost their health insurance through their work. Others simply need a chance to purchase insurance during the crisis.
In the letter sent Monday, the governors say now is the time to allow for a special open enrollment period so that Americans have an option to purchase health insurance on the marketplace if they can afford to do so.
[…]
WILX: Gov. Whitmer leads coalition calling on Trump Administration to increase affordable healthcare during coronavirus pandemic
Governor Gretchen Whitmer is leading a coalition of 12 governors calling on the Trump Administration to increase access to affordable healthcare, according to the governor’s office.
Gov. Whitmer’s office said the coalition, comprised of governors from Delaware, Illinois, Maine, Montana, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Virginia and Wisconsin, sent a letter to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Alex Azar and Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services Administrator Seema Verma asking the administration to “take swift action to allow for a special enrollment period of at least 30 days on the federal healthcare exchange.”
“Too many of our constituents are uninsured or underinsured despite the steps we’ve taken at the state level,” the governors said. “As a result, far too many of our residents are choosing to forgo coronavirus testing and treatment out of fear of the potential costs to themselves and their families. It is essential that we remove every barrier as quickly as possible to ensure those in our states and across the country are able to access the treatment they need. One of the most effective ways this can be done is by opening up a federal special enrollment period to give everyone the chance to enroll in a health plan that offers the coverage they need with access to any qualifying subsidies.”
[…]