Congressman DeSaulnier Works to Advance Legislation to Protect Americans with Pre-Existing Conditions and Stop “Junk” Insurance Plans

Washington, DC – Today, Congressman Mark DeSaulnier (CA-11) voted to advance H.R. 1010, legislation that would reverse the Trump Administration's expansion of "junk" insurance plans, also known as short-term, limited-duration insurance plans, out of the House Education and Labor Committee. Congressman DeSaulnier is a lead sponsor of the legislation, which was authored by Congresswoman Kathy Castor (FL-14).

"Access to affordable health care is a human right. Junk insurance plans are more predatory than practical, and do a disservice both to the consumers who have those plans and to other people in the insurance market. By expanding the availability of junk insurance plans, President Trump and his Administration are sending us back to the days when insurance companies could deny coverage based on age, gender, or pre-existing conditions, and insurers did not have to provide comprehensive care options. We will not stand for this kind of deliberate and reckless sabotage of our health care system," said Congressman DeSaulnier.

"Junk health insurance plans are being pushed by the Trump administration to lure Americans into cheap but insufficient coverage. Junk plans do not offer adequate protections if you get sick and can leave you on the hook for costly medical bills. Such plans often do not cover pre-existing conditions. Fortunately my bill, H.R. 1010, which passed my Energy & Commerce Committee last week, will halt the expansion of these junk health insurance plans, an important part of Democrat efforts to lower health care costs and undo the Republican sabotage of affordable, quality health care," said Congresswoman Castor.

In August 2018, the Administration finalized a rule to expand short-term, limited-duration health insurance plans, which do not have to offer patient protections like coverage for pre-existing conditions or essential health benefits like maternity care, prescription drugs, and hospitalization that the Affordable Care Act (ACA) requires. According to the Urban Institute, it is estimated that the efforts the Trump Administration has taken to undermine the ACA, including expanding short-term health plans and repealing the individual mandate, could cause premiums to rise by 18 percent in 2019 and leave 9 million more individuals uninsured.

H.R. 1010 was referred to the Committees on Energy and Commerce and Ways and Means in addition to the Committee on Education and Labor. The bill was favorably voted out of the Committee on Energy and Commerce on March 27, 2019. The bill needs to advance in all three committees before moving to the House Floor for a vote.

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