Health care struggles

The Trump administration’s spiteful determination to dismantle the Affordable Care Act is now a heartbreaking reality for Eastern Washington families. Some families with small children, like the Kelly’s (“Health exchange sign-ups still climbing,” Dec. 6), are being forced to give up “half a week’s food budget” in order to absorb the 36 percent monthly premium hike resulting from cuts to insurance subsidies for low- income families. The fact that enrollments are up, despite the steep premium increase, underscores the value families place on accessible health care.

Rep. McMorris Rodgers deserves full credit for the Kelly family’s impossible financial dilemma. She was an enthusiastic champion for the dissolution of insurance subsidies despite an avalanche of support for the ACA by her constituents, local social service agencies, area hospitals and even insurance companies. McMorris Rodgers is persistent and works very diligently.

Unfortunately, not for the hard-working families of Eastern Washington she was elected to represent.

Susan Hammond

Spokane