Rep. Cox Votes on Protecting Americans with Pre-Existing Conditions Act

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Congressman TJ Cox (CA-21) voted to pass H.R. 986, the Protecting Americans with Pre-Existing Conditions Act, blocking the Trump Administration’s dangerous October 2018 guidance that undermines the stability of the health care market and allows states to promote health insurance plans that directly discriminate against people with pre-existing conditions. This guidance weakens the Affordable Care Act’s (ACA) critical protections for people with pre-existing conditions. 

“The Trump Administration’s decision to eliminate protections for Americans with pre-existing conditions endangers the healthcare of millions of people in the Central Valley. Every American should have access to high-quality, affordable healthcare coverage,” said Rep. TJ Cox.

“I am proud to join my colleagues in passing this important legislation ending the Administration’s dangerous guidance, and reinforcing the critical benefits Americans with pre-existing conditions rely on.”

Background:

The Administration’s guidance undermines the stability of the health care market and allows states to promote “short-term, limited-duration” insurance options that directly discriminate against people with pre-existing conditions. Unlike ACA plans, these proposed plans can eliminate coverage of pre-existing conditions, charge premiums based on health status, or reject patients altogether.  

In California alone there are 16,679,100 patients living with pre-existing conditions that would be impacted by the Administration’s cruel policies.