Sen. Tillis Leads Effort to Ensure Protections and Affordable Coverage for Americans With Pre-Existing Conditions

WASHINGTON, Feb. 11 -- Sen. Thom Tillis, R-North Carolina, issued the following news release:

This week, U.S. Senators Thom Tillis (R-NC), Joni Ernst (R-IA), Rob Portman (R-OH), John Cornyn (R-TX), Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-MS), Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV), Ron Johnson (R-WI), Roger Marshall (R-KS), Richard Burr (R-NC), and Todd Young (R-IN) plan to reintroduce the Protect Act, legislation that protects Americans with pre-existing conditions and ensures that Americans will never be denied health care coverage or be charged more because of a pre-existing condition.

The Protect Act amends the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) to:

* Guarantee the availability of health insurance coverage in the individual or group market, regardless of pre-existing conditions;

* Prohibit discrimination against patients based on health status - including prohibiting increased premiums for patients due to pre-existing conditions; and

* Prohibit insurance companies from excluding coverage of treatments for a beneficiary's pre-existing condition.

Read more about the Protect Act here: https://www.tillis.senate.gov/public/_cache/files/498180f6-31a1-42c1-bdb3-9a6d9c721b74/the-protect-act.pdf

"Millions of Americans who have a pre-existing condition should never have to worry about being denied coverage of treatment for them or their children," said Senator Tillis. "There is bipartisan consensus in Congress for codifying these protections into law, but have repeatedly been blocked for political purposes. It's time to put the American people first, and the Protect Act is an important first step towards protecting Americans with pre-existing conditions and pursuing patient-centered reform that will provide all Americans with the affordable and quality choices that work best for their needs and their budget."

"As I've met with Iowans on my 99 County Tour, health care has consistently been a topic that's top of mind for folks. Iowans want to see lower costs, choice in deciding what's best for their families, and protections in place for those with preexisting conditions," said Senator Ernst. "As I've long said, we must always ensure protections for Iowans with preexisting conditions -- like my nephew with autism, and my brother and my sister who both have Type 1 diabetes -- regardless of how policies may change at the federal level. This commonsense and straightforward legislation will do exactly that and Congress should waste no time in passing it."

"Families should not have to worry that a pre-existing condition will stand in the way of getting health coverage," said Senator Portman. "This is a basic principle for good health care that I will continue to support and fight to ensure that it remains the law of the land."

"Texans shouldn't have to fear being denied access to affordable health insurance because of a pre-existing condition," said Sen. Cornyn. "This legislation will give them peace of mind they can choose an insurance plan for their families that offers quality, patient-centered coverage."

"Tens of thousands of Mississippians suffer from pre-existing conditions and worry about the possibility of being penalized because of their health. The Protect Act would codify protections that shield them from that threat," Hyde-Smith said. "I hope this is an area in which a divided Congress can work together to do what's right for our constituents."

"Protecting Americans with pre-existing health conditions is simply the right thing to do, and that's what this legislation does," Senator Capito said. "I will continue working with my colleagues toward commonsense solutions that result in better health care, affordable coverage, and expanded options for all West Virginians, including those battling the disease of addiction."

"As a physician, I've dedicated my career to putting my patients' health first," said Senator Roger Marshall, M.D. "The Protect Act would protect Kansan patients by prohibiting insurance companies from raising premiums, banning or denying coverage, and excluding benefits to patients based on a pre-existing condition. I will continue to work with my colleagues to advance patient-centered health care that improves access to quality and affordable care, and puts people back in charge of their health care."

"Americans deserve certainty that their health care coverage will not be denied because of a pre-existing condition," said Senator Burr. "This legislation gives these individuals and their families peace of mind by ensuring they have affordable and quality choice of health care coverage. I'm pleased to join my colleagues on this important bill that prioritizes patient-centered health care."

"When it comes to healthcare, there is bipartisan agreement that we must protect people with pre-existing conditions," said Senator Young. "Families should never have to worry about being denied coverage because of a pre-existing condition, and our legislation will ensure they are protected."