Legislation announced this week by U.S. Rep. Rodney Davis (R-IL) would prevent insurance companies from using pre-existing condition exclusions to deny coverage as part of a larger Affordable Care Act (ACA) replacement plan.
Davis’ bill, H.R. 628, would amend the Public Health Savings Act to prohibit pre-existing condition exclusions and to ensure that health insurance coverage is always available in individual and group markets.
“I want all Americans to have access to affordable health care, but right now that’s not the case for many under Obamacare,” Davis said.
Deductibles have increased under ACA to the point where “millions of Americans have insurance they can’t afford to use, premiums that triple mortgage payments,” and limited access to doctors, hospitals and insurance options, Davis said.
In Illinois, residents have seen 45 to 55 percent premium increases for 2017, and seven counties in the state have only one insurance provider.
“In addition to increasing competition and passing reforms that reduce costs, we must ensure protections remain for people with pre-existing conditions,” he added.
“Republicans have said we do not want to pull the rug out from anyone and this bill will ensure Americans who have cancer or other illnesses are protected.”
As part of the “A Better Way Agenda,’ House Republicans have outlined a 37-page health care plan that would make insurance more portable through a refundable tax credit. It also calls for preserving employer-based insurance, allowing sales across state lines, enabling small businesses to band together to increase their purchasing power and enacting medical liability reform.