Many Democratic governors and a few Republican ones have called on the federal government to re-open the enrollment period for Affordable Care Act insurance programs.
U.S. Rep. Rodney Davis is skeptical whether that would do much.
"I think it's obviously open to discussion, but let's not kid ourselves, just opening up the ACA is not going to provide affordable health care coverage to people who are going to have to pay outrageous amounts on the exchanges," said Davis, the incumbent Republican in the 13th Congressional District.
His Democratic opponent in the November election, Betsy Dirksen Londrigan, favors a broad reopening of enrollment, a move she said would make it easier for people who have recently lost jobs to get insurance.
Davis said he doubts that.
"Americans are seeing unemployment rolls skyrocket," he said. "They don't have the disposable cash. So, my question is how are they going to afford the premium at this time?"
President Trump has opposed re-opening ACA enrollment.
The 13th District stretches from the Metro East area near St. Louis north to Bloomington-Normal.
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