Americans without insurance face cost barriers that delay necessary care until their illness worsens. This can slow detection and treatment of COVID-19, accelerating the spread of the novel virus and endangering everyone in the country.

Fortunately, there is a way we get more people health insurance right now, without any new action from Congress.

Under Affordable Care Act rules, those who buy their own insurance on the national and state health insurance exchanges must purchase a policy during the regular open enrollment period. However, reopening the state and national health insurance exchanges right now will help more uninsured Americans acquire health insurance, thus easing concerns about the cost of health care so that the sick will not be deterred from seeking medical attention.

Twelve of the thirteen state-based ACA exchanges, including California, Colorado, Connecticut, the District of Columbia, Maryland, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Nevada, New York, Rhode Island, Vermont and Washington State, have already created emergency Special Enrollment Periods. Idaho must open a Special Enrollment Period and offer their uninsured residents another opportunity to sign up for a health plan this year.

Additionally, the Department of Health and Human Services must reopen the federal ACA exchange, giving Americans who live in the 38 states served by the HealthCare.Gov platform similar access to coverage and care.

Trump has recently come out against reopening Special Enrollment Periods. We must reject his decision and demand reopening!

Sign the petition: Demand the Department of Health and Human Services open Special Enrollment Periods in all states -- this is a national health crisis and people need health insurance now.