Legislation would lower coverage cost, incentivize Medicaid expansion, lower drug costs, and strengthen protections for people with pre-existing conditions

WASHINGTON, D.C. - On Monday, Congresswoman Kendra Horn voted for the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Enhancement Act. This legislation would strengthen the Affordable Care Act (ACA) by lowering coverage costs, lowering drug costs, increasing matching funds for states like Oklahoma to expand Medicaid, and reinforcing protections for people with pre-existing conditions. The bill passed the House three days after the President urged the Supreme Court to overturn the Affordable Care Act.

"Access to quality, affordable health care is a right, not a privilege reserved for the few," said Congresswoman Kendra Horn. "Today's legislation would make a critical difference for families struggling to afford their premiums, prescription drugs, or just keep coverage while living with a pre-existing condition. This bill would also provide increased matching funds for Oklahoma to expand Medicaid, which would extend health insurance to 200,000 Oklahomans. We need to make health care more affordable and accessible for all Americans, especially during a pandemic. The bottom line is that this bill would mean big savings, better health care, and more protections for Oklahomans."

The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Enhancement Act would:

* Expand tax credits to lower health insurance premiums for individuals and families;

* Allow Medicare and Medicaid to negotiate lower prescription drug prices;

* Renew the federal matching rate for Oklahoma to expand Medicaid;

* Crack down on health insurance plans that do not cover essential medical treatments and drugs;

* And, reverse efforts to undermine protections for people with pre-existing conditions and weaken standards for essential health benefits.

A fact sheet on the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Enhancement Act is available here. Congresswoman Horn supports efforts to expand Medicaid in Oklahoma and opposes the Trump Administration's lawsuit to undo the Affordable Care Act. Striking down the ACA would eliminate health care insurance for 150,000 Oklahomans, revoke protections for people with pre-existing conditions and reinstate lifetime insurance caps.

Read this original document at: https://horn.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=301