Press Releases
04/06/2020
Attorney General Tong Calls for Federal HealthCare.Gov Special Enrollment in Response to COVID-19 Emergency
(Hartford, CT) – Attorney General William Tong joined a coalition of 21 attorneys general urging the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and its Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) to reconsider their decision to deny a special enrollment period on HealthCare.Gov during the COVID-19 pandemic. In a letter, the attorneys general argue that the federal government should take action to make it possible for Americans across the country to obtain the healthcare coverage they need during this critical time.
In response to the pandemic, Connecticut’s Access Health CT announced a special enrollment period through April 17, 2020 for qualified uninsured Connecticut residents. Click here to learn more.
“No one should be without health insurance during a global pandemic. Connecticut independently extended enrollment for Access Health CT, but states on the federal exchange don’t have that option. Many Americans still need help getting coverage. I join my colleagues around the country in urging the federal government to reconsider its decision and immediately open a special enrollment period on HealthCare.Gov,” said Attorney General Tong.
Millions of Americans have lost their jobs—and ability to pay for healthcare— as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. People working on the front lines in grocery stores, food service, transportation, and sanitation are less likely to have health insurance and sick leave. Those who are uninsured are less likely to have a regular place to obtain healthcare and are more likely to delay obtaining care due to fears of the cost.
This problem requires federal action. While some states run their own health insurance exchanges and may independently extend enrollment, as Connecticut has done, 38 states rely on HealthCare.Gov to run their exchanges. The federal government has the legal ability to call for a special enrollment period so that people in those 38 states can obtain the healthcare they need during this critical time.
In sending the letter, Attorney General Tong joins the attorneys general of California, North Carolina, Colorado, Delaware, Hawaii, Illinois, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Nevada, New Mexico, New York, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, and the District of Columbia. The letter was led by California Attorney General Xavier Becerra and North Carolina Attorney General Josh Stein.
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Media Contact:
Elizabeth Benton
elizabeth.benton@ct.gov
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