As Unemployment Spikes in Georgia, Perdue and Loeffler Refuse Call to Reopen Health Care Exchanges

Georgia Republicans silent as Trump administration keeps exchanges closed even with skyrocketing unemployment numbers in Georgia

ATLANTA — Today, newly released numbers show that Georgia once again experienced one of the largest spikes in unemployment in the country — but Senators David Perdue and Kelly Loeffler still won’t stand up to the Trump administration as it refuses to reopen the health care exchanges for a special enrollment period in the middle of the coronavirus outbreak and subsequent economic downturn.

Even with the ongoing public health crisis, Republicans like Perdue and Loeffler — desperate to distract from their stock trading scandals — are continuing their crusade against access to health coverage after already voting to limit unemployment insurance benefits. Polls show that Americans want the exchanges to reopen, and experts are warning that the administration’s “unrelenting opposition” to the health care law “could become an obstacle for millions of uninsured people in the coronavirus outbreak, as well as many who are losing coverage in the economic shutdown.”

“Senators David Perdue and Kelly Loeffler are clearly more interested in earning favor with the Trump administration than fighting for Georgia families suffering in this pandemic,” said Alex Floyd, spokesman for the Democratic Party of Georgia. “It’s past time to reopen the exchanges and ensure access to care for Georgians — but Perdue and Loeffler would rather play politics on health care than do what’s right for Georgia families.” 

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