Foster criticizes Trump administration on health care

Speaking in Aurora, U.S. Rep. Bill Foster, D-Naperville, said recent moves by the Trump administration are making it more difficult for residents to shop for health plans through the Affordable Care Act.

Foster said the Trump administration cut the marketing budget for the Affordable Care Act, leaving it up to others to inform individuals and families.

"Unfortunately, the current presidential administration has not invested in outreach for enrollment, so it's our job to make sure that everyone is educated about his or her options," he said.

Foster is seeking re-election in the 11th District, which serves Naperville and other parts of DuPage, Will, Kendall, Kane and Cook counties.

Republicans Nick Stella, a cardiologist from Darien, and Constant G. "Connor" Vlakancic, a Naperville resident, filed nominating petitions for the GOP primary, which will determine who Foster will face in the general election.

Foster said the Trump administration has made "a concerted effort to sabotage the Affordable Care Act for most of the last year."

Under the Affordable Care Act, people can only change their insurance plans during the annual open enrollment period. This year, that period was reduced from 90 to 45 days.

"Shortening the enrollment period by a factor of two quite frankly was designed to confuse people, so they will miss the opportunity. The right reaction to that is to make sure that everyone that should sign up does sign up," Foster said.

Foster reached out to VNA Health Care in Aurora, a federally funded, nonprofit health care center, to help inform people that the deadline for open enrollment is Dec. 15.

Foster said nearly 100,000 additional people in Illinois, an increase of nearly 40 percent, have signed up since the open enrollment period began Nov. 1.