WEINZAPFEL CALLS FOR EXCHANGES TO RE-OPEN TO HELP UNEMPLOYED HOOSIERS AND THOSE WITH COVID-19

EVANSVILLE, Ind. – Citing the growing number of Hoosiers who have been exposed to COVID-19 or lost their jobs and health care coverage as a result of its impact on the economy, today Jonathan Weinzapfel joined a chorus of leaders from around the country urging the health care exchanges be re-opened. 

 “It’s essential that we reopen these exchanges for not only those unemployed, but for those that have discovered, in this pandemic, that their health insurance isn’t adequate,” said Weinzapfel. “Additionally, we have a whole group of people who now have pre-existing health conditions that may require different types of coverage. I think the federal government should be flexible and allow them to enroll in coverage that meets their new needs.” 

Indiana is one of 38 states that does not operate its own exchange, meaning it is up to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to reopen the Affordable Care Act’s online marketplace. 

“I’m also challenging my opponent, former Congressman Todd Rokita, to join me in this effort. He has spent years and years in Washington, and despite his 60 plus votes to destroy the Affordable Care Act without a replacement, I’m hoping, given the global pandemic, he will reconsider his position,” added Weinzapfel.   

While former Congressman Rokita is actively supporting a federal lawsuit that seeks to overturn the Affordable Care Act, thereby taking away insurance coverage from the approximately 168,000 Hoosier families who utilize the exchanges, Weinzapfel opposes the lawsuit and has vowed to remove Indiana from the suit immediately.  

If successful, the lawsuit would eliminate coverage for more than 500,000 Hoosiers who currently receive health care through Indiana’s HIP 2.0 Plan. It would also allow insurance companies to deny coverage based on pre-existing conditions once again, impacting more than 2.7 million Indiana residents.  

“This is an all hands-on deck moment for our state and our country,” added Weinzapfel. “We must put aside political ideology and get people access to care that gets them through this crisis and doesn’t bankrupt their families. That’s what I am committed to doing.”