Statement of Stacey D. Stewart, President, March of Dimes on the Decision to End Cost-Sharing Subsidies for the Individual Market

WASHINGTON, Oct. 13, 2017 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The March of Dimes released the following statement from President Stacey D. Stewart on today's announcement that President Trump has decided not to issue cost-sharing subsidies to insurers operating in the individual marketplace, as required under the Affordable Care Act:

"The March of Dimes deplores the decision announced today to withdraw the subsidies that make health insurance affordable for millions of families.  It is difficult to see this decision as anything other than a willful attempt to destroy access to health insurance for hard-working Americans.

"This decision has particularly dangerous implications for women and children.  Without the promised subsidies to make coverage viable, insurers may simply leave many markets.  Pregnant women may have no options for insurance as they approach their delivery dates or experience critical complications of pregnancy.  Infants and children whose families cannot obtain coverage will likely forego vital preventive and sick care, including well child visits and immunizations. Women of childbearing age will be unable to get the care they need to get healthy before they get pregnant.

"The March of Dimes calls upon the President to reverse this destructive decision, which will cause hardship and suffering to untold numbers of Americans.  In addition, Congress should act immediately to restore and fund the cost-sharing subsidies, restoring peace of mind to millions of families and stability to these important insurance markets."

About March of Dimes
The March of Dimes is the leading nonprofit organization for pregnancy and baby health. For more than 75 years, moms and babies have benefited from March of Dimes research, education, vaccines, and breakthroughs. For the latest resources and health information, visit our websites marchofdimes.org and nacersano.org. To participate in our annual signature fundraising event, visit marchforbabies.org. If you have been affected by prematurity or birth defects, visit our shareyourstory.org community to find comfort and support. For detailed national, state and local perinatal statistics, visit persistats.org. You can also find us on Facebook or follow us on Instagram and Twitter.

SOURCE March of Dimes