Governor Doug Ducey may be slow to narrow what qualifies as “essential services” in his Stay at Home Proclamation as well as accelerating the mobilization for Coronavirus testing and treatment supplies, but he, and other leaders across the country, deserve credit for recognizing that people should get access to the Obamacare Marketplaces to find health insurance options.
Last week, the Grand Canyon State Governor, as AZ Central Columnist EJ Montini recounted, wrote to Health and Human Services Secretary Alex Azar, asking that the marketplaces reopen for a “special enrollment period.”
In the letter, Mr. Ducey wrote:
“At this time when health insurance is of critical importance and so many people are experiencing a loss of employment, opening a special enrollment period will cut unnecessary red tape and lift a paperwork burden off individuals who are already facing challenges from a sudden and significant change in circumstances. Such a move would provide an important option to families in Arizona and across the country who are struggling right now.”
Mr. Ducey also expanded health insurance visit access to people who visit their physicians through online telemedicine.
Governor Ducey is not the only state and local leader making the request.
Reporting by Politico has shown that other officials in the other 49 states and health insurers had made similar requests to what Ducey sent.
After some consideration by the Administration, the person who promised better and cheaper health insurance for everyone, said no to opening the marketplaces in the states the Federal Government runs.
It should be noted that several of the “Democratic-leaning” states that created their own marketplace when the Affordable Care Act (Obamacare for those who do not know they are the same thing) have already reopened their marketplaces.
Readers should also be reminded that during this public health emergency, Republicans and the Trump Administration have not withdrawn their lawsuit to get rid of the Affordable Care Act.
Democratic Presidential Frontrunner Joe Biden has asked the Republican plaintiffs to withdraw the lawsuit.
It is apparent that the 2016 Popular Vote Loser and his devoted Fox Island and Trump Zone apostates care more about erasing the achievements of the Obama Presidency from history than helping people and saving lives.
It should be apparent to people that it is a position unsuitable for “public servants” during a public health emergency.
If Conservative Darling Doug Ducey can display the leadership maturity to ask the Federal Government to reopen the Healthcare marketplaces, Donald Trump should rethink his hatred for all things connected to Barack Obama and say YES.