Obamacare Assistance Ends In Chicago, Other Cities

CHICAGO, IL — Residents who need help signing up for coverage through the Affordable Care Act now have fewer options in Chicago. President Donald J. Trump's administration has put an end to contracts providing assistance through libraries, businesses and neighborhoods in Chicago and 17 other cities, according to Crain's Chicago Business. Some local community groups say that will make it harder for those without insurance to enroll, not to mention making re-enrollment more difficult. Compared with previous years, residents also have half as much time to sign up for 2018 coverage, since enrollment begins Nov. 1 and ends Dec. 15.

Although Trump continues to push legislators to repeal "Obamacare," GOP efforts to pass a health care bill appeared to collapse this week.

During a lunch this week at the White House, the president urged Republicans not to leave for their August recess without sending him a health care bill to sign, according to ABC News. (Get Patch real-time email alerts for the latest news for Chicago — or other neighborhoods. And iPhone users: Check out Patch's new app.)

Elizabeth Hagan, associate director of coverage initiatives for the liberal advocacy group Families USA, told Crain's that the elimination of assistance programs in Chicago is an effort to sabotage the Affordable Care Act. "There's a clear pattern of the administration trying to undermine and sabotage the Affordable Care Act," she said. "It's not letting the law fail, it's making the law fail."

More from Patch:

• GOP Health Care Reform Collapse: Infighting Ensues
• Obamacare Repeal: CBO Estimates 32 Million Would Lose Health Insurance By 2026

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