WASHINGTON – U.S. Sen. Chuck Grassley of Iowa joined Thom Tillis of North Carolina in introducing the Ensuring Coverage for Patients with Pre-Existing Conditions Act, legislation that would guarantee Americans have equal health care coverage, regardless of their health status or pre-existing conditions. Sens. Joni Ernst of Iowa, Lamar Alexander of Tennessee, Dean Heller of Nevada, Bill Cassidy of Louisiana, Lisa Murkowski of Alaska, Lindsey Graham of South Carolina and John Barrasso of Wyoming and Roger Wicker of Missouri are also cosponsors of the bill.
Oral arguments in Texas v. United States will begin on September 5th, and if the judge rules in favor of the plaintiffs, protections for patients with pre-existing conditions could be eliminated. This legislation amends the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) to guarantees the availability of coverage in the individual or group market, for all Americans, including those with pre-existing conditions, regardless of the outcome in Texas v. United States. The legislation prohibits discrimination against beneficiaries based on health status, including the prohibition against increased premiums for beneficiaries due to pre-existing conditions.
“For decades, there’s been tremendous support at the grassroots of Iowa and nationwide to protect people with pre-existing conditions from losing their health insurance,” Grassley said. “Experts say that as much as half of the population under age 65 has some type of pre-existing health condition. This legislation will give certainty that broadly supported protections for pre-existing conditions are here to stay no matter what. Support for the legislation will separate those who really want to protect people with pre-existing conditions and those who would rather have a political talking point to scare Americans who are already worried enough. I hope the former is more important.”
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