Upton introduces bill to help Americans keep current health care plans

House Energy and Commerce Committee Chairman Rep. Fred Upton (R-Mich.) introduced the Keep Your Health Plan Act on Monday, which would ensure insurance plans that are available now will continue to exist under the Affordable Care Act.

“Many Americans are now learning the sad reality that their current plan will no longer exist beginning on Jan. 1,” Upton said. “Instead, they are forced to purchase health care that they cannot afford through a system that does not even work, and that’s just not fair.”

The bill would allow an insurance provider that has coverage available in the individual market as of Jan.1, 2013, to continue offering that plan outside of an insurance exchange.

The new bill also would ensure that Americans maintaining their health care plan outside the exchange would not face a penalty under the Affordable Care Act.

“This legislation is about providing folks the peace of mind that they will be allowed to keep their current coverage if they so choose,” Upton said.

The bill awaits approval by the House Energy and Commerce Committee and the House Ways and Means Committee.

Upton was elected to Congress in 1987 and has served as chairman of the Energy and Commerce Committee since 2010.