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With ACA Under Threat Once More, Golden Cosponsors Bill to Protect Mainers with Pre-Existing Conditions

March 28, 2019

Golden helps introduce Protecting Pre-Existing Conditions & Making Health Care More Affordable Act

WASHINGTON — Congressman Jared Golden (ME-02) helped introduce sweeping new health care legislation that will lower Maine's health insurance premiums, crack down on junk health insurance plans, and strengthen protections for people with pre-existing conditions. Golden is an original cosponsor of the Protecting Pre-Existing Conditions & Making Health Care Affordable Act. The bill was introduced after the Trump Administration asked a federal court to strike down not only the Affordable Care Act's protections for people with pre-existing conditions, but every other part of the health law.

"Mainers made clear what they think about repealing the ACA: they don't support it," said Congressman Golden. "Our bill will lock in and strengthen protections for pre-existing conditions and help stabilize premiums and rising costs. Quality, affordable health care is out of reach for too many Mainers and I'm working to make sure everyone in our state has quality coverage at a fair price."

The Protecting Pre-Existing Conditions & Making Health Care More Affordable Act of 2019 includes provisions that will:

Lower health insurance premiums with strengthened and expanded affordability assistance by:

  • Strengthening tax credits in the Marketplace to lower Americans' health insurance premiums and allows more middle-class individuals and families to qualify for subsidies;
  • Ensuring that families who don't have an offer of affordable coverage from an employer can still qualify for subsidies in the Marketplace; and,
  • Providing funding for reinsurance, to help with high cost claims, improve Marketplace stability, and prevent the Trump Administration's sabotage from raising premiums.

Strengthen protections for people with pre-existing conditions by:

  • Curtailing the Trump Administration's efforts to give states waivers to undermine protections for people with pre-existing conditions and weaken standards for essential health benefits, which would leave consumers with less comprehensive plans that do not cover needed services, such as prescription drugs, maternity care, and substance use disorder treatment.

Stop insurance companies from selling junk health insurance plans by:

  • Stopping the Trump Administration's efforts to push Americans into junk health insurance plans that do not provide coverage for essential medical treatments and drugs, and that are allowed to discriminate against people with pre-existing medical conditions.

Reverse the GOP's health care sabotage that has needlessly driven up premiums and uninsured rates, and empower states to innovate and invest in enrolling more people in affordable health coverage by:

  • Reversing the Trump Administration's sabotage by requiring open enrollment outreach, education, and funding for navigators;
  • Investing in state efforts to conduct outreach to increase enrollment, educate consumers of their rights, and help individuals navigate the health insurance system;
  • Empowering states to implement new approaches to increasing enrollment and allows states to set up their own Marketplaces; and
  • Holding the Administration accountable for its use of federal dollars dedicated to increasing enrollment, outreach and running the federal exchange.

Last month, Golden unveiled his health care roadmap, a package of short-term and long-term plans to help lower healthcare costs and expand coverage to every American. The Protecting Pre-Existing Conditions & Making Health Care More Affordable Act complements Golden's roadmap and reinforces his commitment to strengthening the Affordable Care Act.

Issues:Health Care