Lawmakers demand answers after Trump administration yanks open enrollment advertising before deadline

Lawmakers from three congressional committees are demanding answers after the Trump administration's decision to cease advertising and outreach efforts for Healthcare.gov during the final days of the enrollment season in a letter dated Monday addressed to Norris Cochran, acting Health and Human Services Secretary.

The letter was signed by Frank Pallone Jr., ranking member of the Energy and Commerce Committee, Richard Neal, Ways and Means Committee ranking member and Robert C. Scott, Education and Workforce Committee ranking member.

The letter said a Department spokesperson confirmed that the Agency canceled $4-5 million in ads that were set to air over the final weekend before the close of this year's open enrollment period, claiming that the savings would "be returned to the U.S. Treasury."

The lawmakers argued pulling the advertising could hurt marketplace enrollment since historically the final deadline has been the second biggest day for sign-ups. They said research showed the final week draws crucial enrollment from younger consumers, which stabilizes the marketplace and helps keep premiums affordable, the letter stated.

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"We are deeply concerned that the Administration's seemingly intentional efforts to sabotage enrollment in the Affordable Care Act (ACA) Marketplaces will result in adverse risk selection, destabilize insurance markets, and send premiums skyrocketing."

The lawmakers urged HHS to reinstate the advertisements, extend open enrollment for two more weeks to offset any damage done, and encourage marketplace enrollment and stability in the future.

They also demanded HHS provide more details and documentation on a number of issues surrounding the halting of enrollment advertising including: who gave the order to stop the ads and who was responsible for implementing the decision; whether any funding for advertising and communications and marketing was rescinded, who gave those directions and other legality issues; whether the call center will remain open and staffed to assist consumers; if the healthcare.gov website will remain online for consumers to access throughout 2017.

Finally, they asked to see the administration's plan for enrollment and outreach for the 2018 enrollment season.

Twitter: @BethJSanborn