Rep. Shalala Helps Pass Health Care Bill to Protect Affordable Care Act and Patients With Pre-Existing Conditions

WASHINGTON, May 10 -- Rep. Donna Shalala, D-Florida, issued the following news release:

Rep. Donna Shalala (FL-27), former Department of Health and Human Services Secretary, released the following statement after the House of Representatives passed H.R. 986, the Protecting Americans with Pre-Existing Conditions of 2019 Act:

"H.R. 986 will ensure that the patient protections and benefits of the Affordable Care Act are not undermined by the administration," said Rep. Shalala. "It will prevent this administration from doing administratively what they failed to do legislatively--make health insurance inaccessible for the at least 52 million Americans who live with a pre-existing condition."

"The administration is trying to coax states--through innovation waivers--to sell plans that don't cover all of the essential health benefits that the ACA requires or that don't cover pre-existing conditions. This is consumer fraud. It will hurt consumers who think they are buying comprehensive health insurance and then find out their plan doesn't cover whatever health crisis they may be facing. Republicans in the Florida Legislature recently passed a bill to create junk plans with fewer, weakened protections. However, most Americans will agree that they prefer comprehensive coverage and protections that keep their families healthy."

"My district is home to the largest population of individuals enrolled in the Affordable Care Act. With nearly 100,000 people receiving health insurance through the ACA, protecting the law of the land is vital to the health and wellness of our community. With H.R. 986, Democrats are continuing to protect the Affordable Care Act and ensure that people with pre-existing conditions have access to comprehensive health care."