Des Moines Register – 6/29/20

LTE by Helene Golden, Cedar Rapids

Amid the COVID-19 pandemic and a struggling economy, the Trump administration has been working on repealing the Affordable Care Act. President Donald Trump has been determined to dismantle the law since he took office.

For the roughly 25 million people out of work and collecting unemployment benefits, the ACA marketplaces and Medicaid expansion provide avenues to gain health care services, while protecting those with pre-existing conditions. There is no suitable replacement for the plan by the Republican-led Senate.

In Iowa, Sen. Joni Ernst is tying her opposition to the ACA to her re-election campaign. It is important to state and national Democrats and progressives to keep her from securing a second term. Presumptive Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden has made a priority to protect and enhance the ACA.

It is clear that Joni Ernst is not willing to provide health care to all Iowans and would leave them at the mercy of insurance companies during a pandemic.