Rep. Sean Duffy (R-Wis.) joined a bipartisan group of lawmakers on Friday in petitioning Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius to continue the Health Insurance Risk-Sharing Federal Plan through March 31.
HIRSP provides health policies to those who are unable to attain adequate coverage because of pre-existing conditions and those who have lost group health plans administered through an employer.
Duffy joined Reps. Paul Ryan (R-Wis.), Tom Petri (R-Wis.), Reid Ribble (R-Wis.) and other lawmakers in a letter to Sebelius that requested an extension of HIRSP due to issues with the rollout of the Affordable Care Act.
“Not offering this extension nationwide could leave some of our poorest and most medically vulnerable Americans without coverage,” Duffy said. “These individuals should not lose their healthcare coverage due to technical difficulties. This administration is delaying multiple pieces of its signature legislation on an almost daily basis because it is politically convenient for them. It is our hope that (Sebelius) will also offer an extension to the numerous Americans who have had their lives inconvenienced by this ill-conceived law.”
The Wisconsin State Assembly and Senate on Friday both approved a measure introduced by Gov. Scott Walker that extends assistance for several programs, including HIRSP, through March.