The March of Dimes released the following statement from President Stacey D. Stewart on today’s announcement that President Trump has decided not to issue cost-sharing subsidies to insurers operating in the individual marketplace, as required under the Affordable Care Act:
“The March of Dimes deplores the decision announced today to withdraw the subsidies that make health insurance affordable for millions of families. It is difficult to see this decision as anything other than a willful attempt to destroy access to health insurance for hard-working Americans.
“This decision has particularly dangerous implications for women and children. Without the promised subsidies to make coverage viable, insurers may simply leave many markets. Pregnant women may have no options for insurance as they approach their delivery dates or experience critical complications of pregnancy. Infants and children whose families cannot obtain coverage will likely forego vital preventive and sick care, including well child visits and immunizations. Women of childbearing age will be unable to get the care they need to get healthy before they get pregnant.
“The March of Dimes calls upon the President to reverse this destructive decision, which will cause hardship and suffering to untold numbers of Americans. In addition, Congress should act immediately to restore and fund the cost-sharing subsidies, restoring peace of mind to millions of families and stability to these important insurance markets.”