GOP Health Care Proposal Will Not Help With Pre-Existing Conditions
The bill leaves out a number of the key features of the Democrats' 1,990-page legislation, such as new requirements for employers to insure their employees and for nearly all Americans to purchase insurance. It also doesn't block insurers from denying coverage to people with pre-existing health conditions, as Democrats would do.
That's right -- Republicans would do nothing to stop health insurance companies from cherry-picking the healthiest of individuals for coverage at the expense of others. Failure to reform this critical element of the health insurance system will leave millions of Americans ineligible for coverage and will continue the crisis facing families across the country.
The American people overwhelmingly support prohibiting insurance companies from denying coverage for pre-existing conditions. The Kaiser Family Foundation found 80% support the federal government requiring health insurance companies to cover anyone who applies, even if they have a prior illness:
The Affordable Health Care for America Act includes comprehensive reforms to create a transparent, consumer-friendly insurance marketplace that protects consumers and provides them with choices among quality, affordable health care plans--putting an end to insurance companies discriminating against consumers for pre-existing medical conditions -- helping Americans like:
Kelsey Jessup
A 26-year old, healthy woman from California who "runs five days a week, practices yoga and stays away from red meat." She was recently denied coverage by multiple insurers because she had knee surgery in high school and visited the emergency room after a fainting spell a few years ago. Read more>>
Peggy Robertson
A Colorado mother of two who was denied health coverage because she had a c-section in 2006. The insurance company told her if she got "sterilized" she would be eligible for coverage. Read more>>
Christina Turner
After being sexually assaulted in Florida, Christina Turner followed her doctor's orders and took a month's worth of anti-AIDS medication as a precautionary measure. She never developed an HIV infection. Months later, when shopping for new health insurance coverage, Ms. Turner was repeatedly denied coverage because of the precautionary treatment she received after being raped. Read more>>
How does the Republican proposal stack up to the Affordable Health Care for America Act -- comprehensive health insurance reform to protect consumers, hold insurance companies accountable, rein in health care costs, reduce the deficit, and cover 36 million uninsured Americans?
Learn more about what's in the Affordable Health Care for America Act for you: