House Passes Rep. Wild Amendment To Stop the Rising Cost of Premiums with Bill to Protect People with Pre-Existing Conditions

WASHINGTON - Today, U.S. Representative Susan Wild applauded the passage of H.R. 986, the Protecting Americans with Pre-Existing Conditions Act, which included her amendment to stop the rising cost of premiums. The House also began voting on the first bills in House Democrats' sweeping agenda to lower prescription drug prices.

"This is why I'm here. This is what I came here to do," Wild said upon passage of H.R. 986. "We cannot go back to a time when people could lose their insurance or be charged more for having a pre-existing condition. Everybody I know either has a pre-existing condition or knows somebody who does – whether it's asthma, diabetes, or cancer, this is when we need health insurance the most. And when I'm not hearing concerns about protections for pre-existing conditions, I'm hearing about the skyrocketing cost of monthly premiums. That's why I put up an amendment to put a stop to the rising cost of premiums people are facing as a result of sabotage to the ACA. Healthcare is a right – not just a privilege for those can afford it, and I'm keeping my promise to make that a reality for everyone in the Seventh District."

H.R. 986, the Protecting Americans with Pre-Existing Conditions Act reverses the Trump Administration's effort to allow states to waive life-saving protections for people with pre-existing conditions and expand Americans into junk insurance plans that discriminate against people with pre-existing conditions, do not cover essential benefits and swindle hard-working families.

Wild's amendment would help put a stop to the rising cost of premiums by prohibiting the Administration—and future administrations—from taking any further action that would result in higher premiums for Americans who need comprehensive coverage.

• This Administration has unilaterally made health care more expensive and less accessible for the American people by taking actions that run contrary to the spirit and purpose of the ACA. That's results in higher premiums and reduced enrollment:
• In 2017, the Administration stopped cost-sharing payments that helped reduce out-of-pocket costs for low-income Americans. This action alone increased premiums by 20% and raised costs for families not receiving subsidies.
• In 2018, the Administration also issued new Section 1332 guidance—allowing states to raise health care costs for people with preexisting conditions.
• This 2018 guidance also gave a green light to insurance companies to expand junk plans that don't cover essential health benefits. We know that pulling healthy people out of the pool only makes insurance premiums more expensive for those with pre-existing conditions. Now, the people most affected face higher premiums, less choice, and uncertain prospects for the future.
• Also in 2018 the Administration slashed funding for consumer enrollment assistance and outreach. The goal- reduce health care enrollment, the result, higher premiums.
• Just last month, the Administration finalized a rule that would increase limits on total out-of-pocket costs for millions. The Administration moved forward with this, even though the rule itself noted "all commenters on this topic expressed opposition to or concerns about the proposed change."
• This Monday, the Administration released a notice seeking comment on a proposal that would reduce eligibility for Medicaid and cut premium tax credits for millions.

In addition, the House began voting on the first bills in House Democrats' sweeping agenda to lower prescription drug prices – with two bipartisan bills to lower the price of prescription drugs, by removing some of the barriers to generics coming to market.

Video of Wild's remarks available here.