Rep. Rouda Co-Sponsors Protecting Pre-Existing Conditions & Making Health Care More Affordable Act

WASHINGTON, March 26 -- Rep. Harley Rouda, D-California, issued the following news release:

Rep. Harley Rouda (CA-48) co-sponsored health care legislation which would strengthen protections for people with pre-existing conditions, and stabilize the Affordable Care Act.

Said Rouda, "The Trump administration has repeatedly sabotaged healthcare markets, and attempted to gut protections for pre-existing conditions. The effects have been devastating for ordinary people: Californians aren't just struggling to afford health insurance premiums, they're even being bankrupted by co-pays and deductibles for insurance they already have.

"I'm supporting this legislation because my constituents have waited long enough for Washington to stop playing games with their lives, and start finding solutions to our healthcare emergency. I hope my Republican colleagues will seek common ground with us in that effort."

The Protecting Pre-Existing Conditions & Making Health Care More Affordable Act of 2019 includes provisions that will:

Lower health insurance premiums with strengthened and expanded affordability assistance

Strengthening tax credits in the Marketplace to lower Americans' health insurance premiums and allows more middle-class individuals and families to qualify for subsidies;

Ensuring that families who don't have an offer of affordable coverage from an employer can still qualify for subsidies in the Marketplace; and,

Providing funding for reinsurance, to help with high cost claims, improve Marketplace stability, and prevent the Trump Administration's sabotage from raising premiums.

Strengthen protections for people with pre-existing conditions

Curtailing the Trump Administration's efforts to give states waivers to undermine protections for people with pre-existing conditions and weaken standards for essential health benefits, which would leave consumers with less comprehensive plans that do not cover needed services, such as prescription drugs, maternity care, and substance use disorder treatment.

Stop insurance companies from selling junk health insurance plans

Stopping the Trump Administration's efforts to push Americans into junk health insurance plans that do not provide coverage for essential medical treatments and drugs, and that are allowed to discriminate against people with pre-existing medical conditions.

Reverse the GOP's health care sabotage that has needlessly driven up premiums and uninsured rates, and empower states to innovate and invest in enrolling more people in affordable health coverage

Reversing the Trump Administration's sabotage by requiring open enrollment outreach, education, and funding for navigators;

Investing in state efforts to conduct outreach to increase enrollment, educate consumers of their rights, and help individuals navigate the health insurance system;

Empowering states to implement new approaches to increasing enrollment and allows states to set up their own Marketplaces; and

Holding the Administration accountable for its use of federal dollars dedicated to increasing enrollment, outreach and running the federal exchange.