Davis promotes health reform bill

Jan. 31--BLOOMINGTON -- U.S. Rep. Rodney Davis, R-Taylorville, hopes a new bill he has introduced will protect people with pre-existing conditions from discrimination against insurance companies as part of the larger legislation to replace the Affordable Care Act.

"My wife Shannon would not be here today without access to the doctors and treatments that allowed her to fight and win her battle with colon cancer nearly 20 years ago," Davis said Monday at the Central Illinois Regional Airport in Bloomington. "I want all Americans to have access to affordable health care but right now that's not the case for many under Obamacare."

Davis said in 2017, premiums increased by 45 to 55 percent for Illinois residents, and deductibles have increased 64 percent nationwide. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services notes that more than 250,000 low- and moderate-income Illinoisans receive federal tax credits to subsidize premiums.

"Deductibles have risen to the point where millions of Americans have insurance they can't afford to use, premiums that triple mortgage payments, and Obamacare has limited access to doctors, hospitals, and insurance plans," he said.

Davis said if passed, the bill -- HR 628 -- will increase competition and reduce costs. Most importantly, he said, he wants to ensure protections remain for people with pre-existing conditions.

"Republicans have said we do not want to pull the rug out from anyone, and this bill will ensure Americans who have cancer or other illnesses are protected," he said.

Davis said Republicans are preparing legislation using a 37-page agenda. The highlights include making health insurance portable; preserving employer-based insurance; allowing sales of insurance policies across state lines; allowing small businesses and individuals to band together; and enacting medical liability reform.

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