Nationwide, more than 11.5 million people were signed up for marketplace coverage as of Dec. 24 — an increase of 286,000 compared to the same period a year ago, according to a press release Tuesday from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
During a conference call with reporters, Whaley said access to health insurance under the ACA, commonly known as Obamacare, has helped the local community stay healthy and productive, and she pledged to support the health law to “make sure that our communities and our families have options for health care.”
The law has come under fire from President-elect Donald Trump and Congressional Republicans who have promised to repeal and replace the law, which they believe is too costly and inefficient.
Last Tuesday, Republican Senate leaders introduced a bill that would use budget reconciliation to freeze funding and undo key elements of the law, but they have yet to introduce replacement legislation.
HHS Regional Director Kathleen Falk said repealing the law without an immediate replacement would jeopardize health coverage for more than 20 million Americans who have helped drive down the share of medically uninsured to its lowest level in the nation’s history.
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