DSCC: Vulnerable Senate Republicans Vote Again to Defend Toxic ‘Junk’ Health Insurance Plans That Don’t Cover Pre-Existing Conditions

WASHINGTON, Oct. 30 -- The Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee issued the following news release:

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- GOP-backed "junk plans" opposed by medical experts can have "catastrophic costs" & "deny coverage based on consumers' pre-existing health conditions"

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Vulnerable Senate Republicans voted again today to defend toxic junk health insurance plans that are "so skimpy that they offer no meaningful coverage" -- failing a critical "litmus test for anyone who claims to support protecting people with preexisting conditions."

These junk plans are not required to cover pre-existing conditions, prescription drugs, or maternity benefits, and "generally refuse" to provide coverage to people who are pregnant or who have a history of cancer or other diagnoses, yet Senators McSally, Gardner, Perdue, Ernst, McConnell, Tillis, Graham, and Cornyn just voted again to promote these harmful plans at the expense of their constituents.

"Senate Republicans are once again showing why they have no credibility when it comes to protecting their constituents' health care," said DSCC spokesperson Stewart Boss.

"By throwing their support behind these junk plans, vulnerable GOP incumbents are recklessly exposing their constituents to higher costs, unreliable care, and weaker protections for critical benefits like pre-existing conditions coverage and maternity care."

This is not the first time vulnerable GOP Senators have backed these toxic junk health plans, which have earned the vocal opposition of the American Cancer Society and American Heart Association -- Senators Cory Gardner, David Perdue, Joni Ernst, Mitch McConnell, Thom Tillis, Lindsey Graham, and John Cornyn have previously voted to expand junk plans.

Unelected Senator Martha McSally and failed Senate candidate John James had also refused to oppose this harmful policy in the past.