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HHS: Repeal of Reform Threatens Those with Pre-Existing Conditions
Half of "non-elderly" Americans under the age of 65 — 129 million people—might have a pre-existing medical condition such as high blood pressure or arthritis that could deny them healthcare coverage if the Affordable Care Act is repealed, according to a Health and Human Services report issued Tuesday.
"The Affordable Care Act is stopping insurance companies from discriminating against Americans with pre-existing conditions and is giving us all more freedom and control over our healthcare decisions," HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius said in a statement accompanying the report.
"The new law is already helping to free Americans from the fear that an insurer will drop, limit, or cap their coverage when they need it most. And Americans living with pre-existing conditions are being freed from discrimination in order to get the health coverage they need," Sebelius said.
The HHS report comes as majority House Republicans in the newly convened 112th Congress launch their attempt to repeal the healthcare reforms enacted last year by Democrats. By midday Tuesday, House GOP leaders had not responded to the report.
The health insurance lobby, however, disputed the findings.
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Comments are moderated. Please be patient.
Regina (1/19/2011 at 12:20 PM)
Does the DHHS report mention anything about the Portable Insurance Provisions of the Kennedy-Kassebaum law that was passed in 1996. The major focus of the legislation was an attempt to make health insurance more portable for people who lose their jobs. Under the bill, an individual who has had insurance coverage for the previous 12 months can move from one job to another without being subject to preexisting condition exclusions. He cannot be denied coverage or charged higher premiums than a healthy person. Individuals who lose their jobs are also guaranteed the right to convert their previous group policy to individual coverage.