Rep. Castor Issues Statement on Federal Judge Ruling on Junk Health Insurance Plans

WASHINGTON, July 19 -- Rep. Kathy Castor, D-Florida, issued the following statement after a federal judge ruled in favor of the Trump administration's expansion of the sale of junk health insurance plans that do not meet standards set in the Affordable Care Act:

"Junk plans are no substitute for meaningful health insurance, but are instead cynical attempts to lure families and individuals into cheap and insufficient coverage. Junk plans do not protect you if you get sick, can discriminate against people with preexisting conditions and leave you on the hook for costly medical bills.

"The House of Representatives passed my bill, H.R. 1010, in the Strengthening Health Care and Lowering Prescription Drug Costs Act to help Americans from being defrauded by junk plans that do not cover preexisting conditions, hospital stays, prescription drugs and other basic care.

"By promoting junk plans, the Trump administration is sanctioning higher health care costs for American families. The Energy and Commerce Committee heard direct testimony on this point on March 12, 2019. Such testimony and evidence led to adoption of my Strengthening Health Care and Lowering Prescription Drug Costs Act to halt the Trump administration's expansion of these dangerous junk plans.

"It is imperative that the Senate immediately take up my legislation. I will continue to stand up and fight Republican efforts to take away comprehensive health coverage and increase health care costs - especially for my fellow Floridians and Americans with preexisting conditions."

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U.S. Rep Castor introduced H.R. 1010 to protect Americans from junk plans on February 11, 2019. That legislation was part of a package of health bills that passed the U.S. House on May 17, 2019. U.S. Rep. Castor has worked tirelessly to safeguard Americans' health and serves on the powerful U.S. House Energy & Commerce Committee, which has oversight of health care policy, and she helped to craft the ACA that protects the coverage of so many Florida families today.