As unemployment claims and coronavirus cases surge in Maine, Trump refuses to reopen health care enrollment
New unemployment claims in Maine have spiked to more than 45,000 in the last two weeks. But despite the record breaking number of newly unemployed people across the country, President Trump has refused to reopen enrollment for the Affordable Care Act’s federal health insurance marketplace, making it more difficult for the more than 100,000 Mainers who don’t currently have health insurance to secure coverage during an ongoing pandemic.
While Democrats in the Maine legislature called for action and other members of Maine’s congressional delegation spoke out against the Trump administration's irresponsible decision, Senator Susan Collins stayed silent. Collins has a record of voting to repeal and undermine the ACA and her vote for the GOP tax bill paved the way for a Republican-led Supreme Court lawsuit that could lead to a 164% increase in the number of uninsured Mainers.
“In the midst of an ongoing public health crisis, it’s more critical than ever that every Mainer has access to affordable health care,” said Maine Democratic Party Executive Director Lisa Roberts. “The Trump administration’s latest decision to make it harder for people to get the coverage they need is shameful and Senator Collins’ silence on the matter is deafening.”
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