President Trump told the head of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Seema Verma to deny a request from the Republican-controlled state of Iowa to fix their health-care marketplace, according to The Washington Post.

According to the Post, Iowa officials sought for months to get federal permission to fix health insurance markets in their state, but they were shut down by Trump administration officials.

Critics of the president say Trump's unusual move is a part of the administration's effort to undermine ObamaCare.

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The Department of Health and Human Services has reduced the health insurance enrollment time frame by half, cut the advertising budget and has cut funding that helps people receive coverage under ObamaCare.

Democrats have called on the White House to stop undermining the health-care law.

Sen. Maggie Hassan Margaret (Maggie) HassanCongress needs to prioritize government digital service delivery Senate Democrats demand answers on migrant child trafficking during pandemic Hillicon Valley: Feds warn hackers targeting critical infrastructure | Twitter exploring subscription service | Bill would give DHS cyber agency subpoena power MORE (D-N.H.) said on Friday the administration should halt its "attempts to sabotage health care markets and raise health care costs for millions," according to the Post.

Senate Republicans and the administration failed twice this year to fulfill a seven-year campaign promise to repeal and replace ObamaCare.

Republicans have since set their sights on achieving a victory in the form of tax reform.