Rep. Fulcher Defends Short-term, Limited Duration Insurance Plans

Targeted News Service (Press Releases)

WASHINGTON, May 20 -- Rep. Russ Fulcher, R-Idaho, issued the following news release:

Democrats recently brought H.R. 987 to the House floor for a vote. This bill contained H.R. 1010 to overturn the Trump Administration's Executive Order that gives people the choice to purchase Short-term, Limited Duration Insurance (STLDI) plans.

Typical Short-term plans force people to renew after one year, making them change insurance companies. This leads to gaps in coverage, premiums to rise faster, and incentivizes people to remain uninsured because they cannot afford the expensive plans through Obamacare.

Idaho led the way with a solution to this by passing a three-year renewable STLDI option, allowing Idahoans to not only stay with the same insurance company for the entire three years, but also enroll at any time during the year. Prior to the enactment of Obamacare, average individual market yearly premiums in the state of Idaho were $1,915; after the enactment of Obamacare, these yearly premiums reached $5,267.

Congressman Fulcher commented, "Democrats were successful in passing this legislation that would undo the ability for Idahoans to purchase Short-Term Limited Duration Insurance plans. Fortunately, I do not expect this legislation will pass through the Senate or be signed into law by President Trump. Idaho has seen great success with these programs that have given more options to those between jobs or working in the gig economy-- all while protecting those with pre-existing conditions. We cannot allow Democrats to undo the progress we have made to improve our health care system in Idaho, and the country as a whole."

The ability to purchase these STLDI plans is one of the solutions laid out in President Trump's recent executive order. The left-leaning Urban Institute estimates that this plan could help up to four million Americans, 1.7 million of whom were previously without insurance.

Rep. Fulcher joined the house floor debate of H.R. 987 to highlight the success of STLDI plans in Idaho and encourage democrats to not eliminate this option.