National Partnership for Women & Families Issues Statement on Health Insurance

WASHINGTON, Dec. 21 -- The National Partnership for Women and Families issued the following statement by President Debra L. Ness:

"The strong enrollment - topping 8.8 million people this year - in the 39 states that use HealthCare.gov is irrefutable evidence that the marketplace is meeting a real and compelling need.

Purchasing health insurance this year was harder than it's ever been, due to the Trump administration's shameful efforts to sabotage enrollment. The open enrollment period was shorter, much less support was available to help people find the right plans for themselves and their families, the marketing budget was slashed and HealthCare.gov was shut down periodically. So it is truly impressive that so many people persevered, purchasing plans in order to protect their health, well-being and economic security.

Had the Trump administration prioritized our nation's health, instead of partisan politics, by helping people learn about, find and enroll in health plans that meet their needs, millions more individuals and families would have been able to get the peace of mind that comes from having health insurance.

We are enormously grateful to the thousands of volunteers around the country who spread the word far and wide about open enrollment, and who took time to help people enroll in coverage - especially when the very people tasked with protecting our nation's health refused to do so.

We will continue fighting every attempt to undermine the Affordable Care Act - the greatest advance for women's health in a generation - and working to expand access to affordable, comprehensive health coverage for all women and families."