Rep. Kuster Legislation Included in House-Passed Bill to Strengthen Health Care Access

WASHINGTON, July 3 -- Rep. Ann Kuster, D-New Hampshire, issued the following news release:

This week, the House passed the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Enhancement Act to increase access to affordable care, lower the cost of prescription drugs, and combat racial and ethnic disparities in our health care system. The final legislation included critical provisions from Rep. Kuster's (NH-02) bill, the Protecting Americans with Preexisting Conditions Act, to protect Americans from junk health plans.

"For nearly a decade, the Affordable Care Act has been protecting Americans with preexisting conditions who had been denied access to health insurance or charged more for coverage in the past," said Kuster. "As the Trump Administration continues working to sabotage the Affordable Care Act and strip access to care from millions, I am glad to see this legislation pass the House in a crucial step to protect every American's right to quality, affordable health care while addressing racial and ethnic disparities that have failed far too many."

"I am proud that this House-passed legislation includes provisions from my bill, the Protecting Americans with Pre-existing Conditions Act, to eliminate junk health plans, which often lack protections for the millions of Americans living with a preexisting condition," Kuster continued. "I will continue my work to strengthen and improve access to quality, affordable insurance for Granite Staters and folks nationwide."

A member of the Energy and Commerce Committee Subcommittee on Health, Kuster has repeatedly advocated for access to quality, affordable health care for Americans. Last month, she helped introduce legislation to close the gaps in our health care system that have left behind minorities and underserved communities. She has also condemned the Trump Administration for its continued attempts to undermine the Affordable Care Act during the COVID-19 pandemic, threatening access to coverage for more than 100,000 Granite Staters.