Sen. Cortez Masto Issues Statement on Short-Term Health Insurance Plans

WASHINGTON, Aug. 1 -- The office of Sen. Catherine Cortez Masto, D-Nevada, issued the following statement in response to the finalization of a Trump administration rule that allows consumers to purchase and renew short-term health insurance plans for up to three years:

"The Administration's continued efforts to sabotage the Affordable Care Act puts the health of millions of Americans at risk.

"The expansion of short-term health insurance plans does nothing to help Americans afford quality health insurance. Instead, these "junk" plans are designed to mislead healthy patients into purchasing insurance that often excludes critical benefits like mental health and maternity care.

"These plans raise premiums for consumers who want comprehensive coverage and deny protections to patients with pre-existing conditions. Top health insurance companies themselves have said these plans could harm consumers and yet President Trump's rule ignored the great potential harm to families, seniors, women and those with pre-existing conditions."