Ohio State Reps. Clites, Crossman Urge House Leaders to Pass Bill to Protect Healthcare Coverage for Ohioans With Pre-existing Conditions

COLUMBUS, Ohio, Sept. 23 -- Ohio House Democrats issued the following information on behalf of Ohio State Reps. Randi Clites, D-Ravenna, and Jeff Crossman, D-Parma, on Sept. 22:

State Reps. Randi Clites (D-Ravenna) and Jeff Crossman (D- Parma) today called on Statehouse leaders to protect Ohioans' healthcare by advancing the bipartisan Pre-Existing Condition Protection Act, House Bill 390. The call comes after the death of Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, which has created more uncertainty about the future of the Affordable Care Act's (ACA), including its provision to protect healthcare access for those with pre-existing conditions. The Supreme Court is scheduled to hear a case challenging the ACA's constitutionality on November 10th of this year.

The Pre-Existing Condition Protection Act, filed in Ohio by Reps. Clites & Crossman, would codify several popular patient protections that are currently guaranteed under the ACA, including coverage for those with pre-existing conditions, into Ohio Law.

"Ohio families cannot afford more political games from Washington while their access to affordable healthcare hangs in the balance during a global pandemic. It's time to put politics aside and put people first," said Rep. Clites. "We cannot wait until two million Ohioans with pre-existing conditions lose their health insurance to take action- we must protect patients now."

"The passing of Justice Ginsburg re-enforces the urgency to pass protections for people with pre-existing conditions here in Ohio." said Rep. Crossman. "HB 390 has been stalled in the Ohio House for months and our Republican colleagues should join us in making healthcare a top priority for Ohioans. Otherwise, thousands of Ohioans stand to lose their healthcare if the ACA is repealed, weakened, undermined or gutted as the current administration has sought to do without any plan to replace it."

The Pre-Existing Protection Act would:

* Protect coverage for those with pre-existing conditions;

* Limit health insurance premium hikes;

* Ban annual and lifetime limits on care; and

* And, protect coverage of essential health benefits, like preventative, maternal and emergency care.

HB 390 has had three hearings in the House Insurance Committee to date. No additional hearings are currently scheduled for the bill.