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U.S. NEWS Tuesday 12 december 2017
Some glitches seen in deadline week for ‘Obamacare’ sign-ups

at least one health insurer Obama said, according to solved, and HealthCare.
offering plans under the Af- a transcript provided by his gov is reaching out to the
fordable Care Act for next office. consumers affected to en-
year. President Donald Trump courage them to complete
Friday is the last day to enroll came into office looking to their applications. How-
for subsidized private cov- dismantle his predecessor’s ever, Becker said advo-
erage in 39 states served health law, but it survived. cates had gotten a similar
by the federal HealthCare. Now the Trump adminis- response from the admin-
gov website. Consumer in- tration will be assessed on istration last week, and the
terest has remained brisk, how it handles the crush of problem continued.
even as the Trump adminis- customers trying to enroll For millions of consumers el-
tration cut the sign-up sea- for 2018 this week. igible to enroll time runs out
son in half, reducing it from Stephani Becker of the on Dec. 15. Thursday and
roughly from 90 days to 45 Sargent Shriver National Friday are expected to be
days. Center on Poverty Law in the heaviest days.
The Healthcare.gov website is seen on a laptop computer, in Former President Barack Chicago said the glitch That could slow the Health-
Washington. The Trump administration came in looking to Obama offered encour- in which consumers were Care.gov website, and
dismantle Barack Obama’s health care law, but the Affordable agement Monday for the told there were no plans lead to long hold times at
Care Act survived. Now the administration is on the line to closing push, posting on was reported by counsel- the federal call center. For
deliver a smooth finale to sign-up season, with a crush of social media and joining a ors starting late last week, most people, this is the last
customers expected this week. Friday, Dec. 15 is the last day conference call with enroll- and again Monday. It also opportunity to secure cov-
for procrastinators to enroll for subsidized private coverage in ment counselors. surfaced in other states be- erage for 2018, or switch
39 states served by HealthCare.gov. On the call, Obama ac- sides Illinois, she said. from an existing plan.
(AP Photo/Alex Brandon) cused “Republicans in Trained counselors know One exception: People liv-
Washington” of trying to enough about the program ing in hurricane-affected
By RICARDO ZALDIVAR who successfully complet- “sabotage” progress made to question the accuracy areas can get an exten-
Associated Press ed an application for fi- reducing the number of un- of the message, but “the sion to sign up by Dec. 31
WASHINGTON (AP) — Con- nancial assistance through insured. average consumer might by contacting the Health-
sumer advocates reported HealthCare.gov got a mes- The American people just walk away,” Becker Care.gov call center.
some glitches Monday in sage saying they would “don’t want a health care said. That could make a differ-
the final days for “Obam- likely be eligible to buy a system that’s sent into cha- An administration official ence in states such Florida,
acare” sign-ups, although health plan, “but none are os just for partisan reasons,” said the issue has been re- Texas, and Georgia.q
the Trump administration available to you in your
largely seemed to be keep- area.”
ing its promise of a smooth That information was incor-
enrollment experience. rect because every county
In Illinois, some consumers in the nation currently has

Pentagon to allow transgender

people to enlist in the military

By LOLITA C. BALDOR recruits will start Jan. 1 and
Associated Press go on amid the legal bat-
WASHINGTON (AP) — The tles. The Defense Depart-
Pentagon is allowing trans- ment also is studying the
gender people to enlist in issue.
the military beginning Jan. Eastburn told The Associ-
1, despite President Donald ated Press on Monday that
Trump’s opposition. the new guidelines mean
The new policy reflects the Pentagon can disqual-
growing legal pressure on ify potential recruits with
the issue, and the difficult gender dysphoria, a history
hurdles the federal govern- of medical treatments as-
ment would have to cross sociated with gender tran-
to enforce Trump’s de- sition and those who under-
mand to ban transgender went reconstruction. But
individuals from the military. such recruits are allowed in
Two federal courts already if a medical provider certi-
have ruled against the fies they’ve been clinically
ban. Potential transgender stable in the preferred sex
recruits will have to over- for 18 months and are free
come a lengthy and strict of significant distress or im-
set of physical, medical pairment in social, occu-
and mental conditions that pational or other important
make it possible, though areas.
difficult, for them to join the Transgender individuals
armed services. receiving hormone ther-
Maj. David Eastburn, a Pen- apy also must be stable
tagon spokesman, says the on their medication for 18
enlistment of transgender months.q