The assault on the Affordable Care Act

In September, the ACA survived yet another repeal attempt by the U.S. Senate.

However, every time this happens, there is a tendency for supporters of the act to take a deep breath, celebrate the moment of victory, but then place that win on the back burner of our collective memory. We do this primarily because there is a continuing Category 5 storm of assaults to weaken or destroy federal agencies, the social order and even the democratic system of government that we have come to know and cherish over the past 240 years.

So let me be crystal clear: the assault on the ACA continues in D.C., and each health care battle is only a handful of confetti in the ticker tape parade that Mr. Trump imagines in his reality TV show, "The President." Most recently, as reported in the national news:

• On Oct. 12, the Trump administration announced it will end subsidies to health insurance companies designed to help low-income people with out-of-pocket medical costs. The same day, they approved sales of cheaper plans that provide fewer benefits and protections, aimed at younger, healthier consumers. This will explode the cost of stronger plans necessary for those who need better, ongoing coverage.

• HHS is trying hard to suppress the number of new enrollees in the open enrollment period, Nov. 1 - Dec. 15, by cutting the enrollment time in half and the ad budget by 90 percent. Also, regional administrators are not allowed to meet with grassroots organizations to facilitate enrollment.

• War on the ACA is also a war on a woman's right to manage her reproductive health. On Oct. 6, Trump directed a revision to the ACA allowing employers to opt out of providing birth control in health plans by claiming "religious or moral objections."

The chasm between the rich and poor of our country continues to widen.

Beverly George

Naperville