President Donald Trump Wednesday suggested that he might reconsider reopening enrollment under the Affordable Care Act, even though his administration reportedly decided against it.
When a reporter asked the president why he chose not to reopen enrollment, Trump deferred to Vice President Mike Pence, who touted recent announcements from insurers Cigna and Humana that they'll waive cost-sharing for medical expenses resulting from COVID-19 treatment.
Pence also talked at length about temporary changes to the Medicare and Medicaid programs, medical supplies and various ways that the Trump administration is partnering with the private sector to respond to the coronavirus outbreak.
"I think it's one of the greatest answers I've ever heard because Mike was able to speak for five minutes and not even touch your question," Trump said. "That's what you call a great professional."
But the president acknowledged that many people have limited coverage options outside of the traditional enrollment period, which can be problematic.
"I think it's a very fair question . . . and it's something that we're really going to look at because it doesn't seem fair," Trump said.
Health insurers, Democrats and consumer advocates have pushed to allow people to sign up for commercial insurance during the pandemic because many people don't have private coverage or qualify for Medicare or Medicaid.
