Tillis, Senate Republicans introduce patient-centered reform with Protect Act

U.S. Sen. Thom Tillis (R-NC) and his Republican colleagues in the Senate on Wednesday unveiled the Protect Act to ensure Americans with pre-existing health conditions would be able to keep their affordable health care coverage.

“The Protect Act is an important first step towards protecting Americans with pre-existing conditions and pursuing patient-centered reform that will provide all Americans with the affordable and quality choices that work best for their needs and their budget,” Sen. Tillis said on April 10.

Sen. Tillis sponsored S. 1125 with 22 Republican cosponsors, who included U.S. Sens. Bill Cassidy (R-LA), Joni Ernst (R-IA), Roger Wicker (R-MS), Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV), Todd Young (R-IN), Richard Burr (R-NC) and John Hoeven (R-ND).

“I strongly believe that no hardworking American should ever have to go to bed worried about being denied coverage or treatment if they or their children have a pre-existing condition, which is why I’m introducing the Protect Act,” said Sen. Tillis.  

If enacted, S. 1125 would amend the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) to guarantee health insurance coverage in the individual or group market, regardless of pre-existing conditions; ban discrimination based on a person’s health status or pre-existing condition; and forbid insurance companies from denying coverage for treatments of a beneficiary’s pre-existing condition, according to a summary of the bill provided by the senator’s office.

The Republican senators stressed the need for patient-centered reform versus the nation’s current government-run health care under the 2010 Affordable Care Act law, also known as Obamacare. 

“The American people have two distinct choices when it comes to the future of their health care. The one-size-fits-all approach being pushed by Democrats is a government takeover of our healthcare system and would eliminate choices for families,” Sen. Tillis said. “The American people deserve better.”

A two-page summary of S. 1125 provided by Sen. Tillis explains that the patient-centered reform bill being offered by the Republicans is needed now while “the courts decide the constitutionality of Obamacare,” according to the information. 

“The fundamental issue with Obamacare is that it caused health care costs to significantly increase, leaving many families – including those with preexisting conditions – unable to afford any health insurance,” according to the document. 

Several cosponsors of S. 1125 sang its praises this week.

Sen. Burr, for instance, called the Affordable Care Act “systemically flawed” while the nation’s healthcare system is being barraged by 21st century challenges. “The Protect Act will help provide security and peace of mind for millions of Americans,” he said.

“When it comes to healthcare, Hoosiers want freedom, choice and flexibility,” added Sen. Young. “I’m joining Senator Tillis to introduce legislation that will help ensure patients with pre-existing conditions aren’t denied coverage.” 

S. 1125 has been referred for consideration to the U.S. Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee.