Walden introduces bill to ensure affordable health insurance for those with pre-existing conditions

Legislation recently introduced by U.S. Rep. Greg Walden (R-OR) would ensure that people cannot be denied health care benefits or charged higher premiums because of pre-existing conditions.

Walden, the chairman of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, said he introduced the Pre-Existing Conditions Protection Act after receiving feedback in town hall meetings around Oregon that the healthcare system needs to work better for all Oregonians.

“I am committed to patient-centered reforms that increase access to quality, affordable care and guarantee that all Oregonians are protected from unfair, higher premium costs simply due to how healthy or sick they may be,” Walden said.

The measure is the latest in a series of bills advanced by the committee to protect patients, stabilize health insurance markets and ensure continuous coverage.

“This is another step toward keeping our commitment to fix the problems with our healthcare system and protect vulnerable patients from being treated unfairly,” Walden said. “As we continue to repeal and replace Obamacare, we will always put what’s best for patients first.”

U.S. Rep. Susan Brooks (R-IN) signed on as an original cosponsor of the bill after hearing similar concerns about pre-existing conditions at town hall meetings in Indiana.

“At a recent event in Anderson, a mom brought me a photo of her daughter, a young woman with a pre-existing condition,” Brooks said. “She was concerned about her daughter’s ability to have healthcare coverage in the future. This bill protects her daughter, and the countless other Hoosiers who have pre-existing conditions, from astronomically high premiums and lost benefits based on how healthy or sick they may be,” Brooks added.