Allred Votes for Bipartisan Legislation That Will Protect People With Pre-Existing Conditions

WASHINGTON, May 9 -- Rep. Colin Allred, D-Texas, issued the following news release:

Congressman Colin Allred (TX-32), today voted in favor of, H.R. 986, the Protecting Americans with Pre-Existing Conditions Act. The bill, which passed with bipartisan support, reverses the Trump Administration's attempt to allow states to promote junk short-term insurance options that directly discriminate against people with pre-existing conditions.

"We cannot go back to the bad old days when folks were denied coverage because they had a pre-existing condition," said Allred. "We must protect the progress we have made. This common sense legislation protects patients with pre-existing conditions and ensures that the Administration can't promote junk plans that don't provide people with the health care coverage that they need."

Additionally, Allred co-led an amendment with Congresswoman Katie Porter (CA-45) that will ensure the Administration cannot move forward with any changes that would result in fewer people receiving comprehensive coverage. The amendment was included in the final bill.

The Protecting Americans with Pre-Existing Conditions Act revokes the Administration's guidance by requiring that state waivers under Section 1332 protect patients with pre-existing conditions and maintain affordability throughout the insurance marketplace. Unlike Affordable Care Act plans, short-term plans can deny coverage or charge higher premiums based on health status and pre-existing conditions. These junk plans could also exclude coverage of any care related to a pre-existing condition.

Supporters of the bill include; the American Lung Association, the American Heart Association, the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network, the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, the American Medical Association, the Federation of American Hospitals, the AARP, the American Hospital Association, and the American Psychiatric Association.

Allred's record on health care:

Allred passed a bipartisan resolution on January 9 that authorized the House to intervene as a party in the Texas lawsuit seeking to undermine the Affordable Care Act (ACA). He also passed a bipartisan resolution in April condemning the Trump Administration's effort to repeal the ACA in its entirety.

Allred is a cosponsor of the Protecting Pre-Existing Conditions & Making Health Care More Affordable Act of 2019. A bill that will stabilize the individual health care marketplace, reverse partisan sabotage of the ACA and bring down health care costs for consumers.