May 09, 2019

House Passes New Dem-Led Bill to Protect Americans with Preexisting Conditions

Today, the House of Representatives passed H.R. 986, the Protecting Americans with Preexisting Conditions Act of 2019. This legislation, led by NDC Vice Chair for Communications Annie Kuster and co-sponsored by Rep. Don Beyer, would revoke Section 1332 guidance released by the Trump Administration in October of 2018, which weakened protections for individuals with pre-existing conditions.

This legislation pushes back on the Trump Administration’s repeated and ongoing attack of the Affordable Care Act (ACA). This bill shows the New Democrat Coalition’s commitment to strengthening the ACA, fighting efforts to undermine the ACA, and looking for ways to make the ACA work better for all Americans.

"There's little doubt that folks in my region and across the country want a Congress that acts to protect people with pre-existing conditions and brings down health care costs,” said New Democrat Coalition Chair Derek Kilmer. “I'm proud that Congress is taking decisive action to reverse the Administration’s sabotage of the Affordable Care Act and I applaud Rep. Kuster for her work to move this bill forward. Congress should continue to strengthen the ACA where it can and make every effort to make health care coverage more affordable for all Americans.”

“We cannot go back to a time when Americans with preexisting conditions can be charged more or denied care,” said New Democrat Coalition Vice Chair for Communications Annie Kuster. “Our legislation provides much-needed pushback against the Trump Administration’s repeated and ongoing sabotage of the Affordable Care Act and our healthcare system. I remain focused on how we can strengthen our healthcare system and I will continue fighting to make the ACA work better for all Americans.”

This Congress, the Energy and Commerce Committee has already advanced five pieces of legislation championed by New Democrat Coalition members to help lower the costs of health care and strengthen protections for individuals with pre-existing conditions. This comes after the New Dems urged House leaders to prioritize strengthening the Affordable Care Act (ACA) and continue the path toward affordable universal coverage. We have been heartened by Democratic Leadership’s steps to undo the sabotage done to the ACA, and look forward to building on this work through the legislative progress of our Members.

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