Senator Joni Ernst Again Votes to Defend Toxic ‘Junk’ Health Plans That Can Deny Coverage for Pre-Existing Conditions

WASHINGTON, Oct. 30 -- The Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee issued the following news release:

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- Ernst-backed 'junk plans' opposed by medical experts can have 'catastrophic costs" & "deny coverage based on consumers' pre-existing health conditions'

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Senator Joni Ernst voted again today to defend toxic junk health care plans "so skimpy that they offer no meaningful coverage" -- failing a critical "litmus test for anyone who claims to support protecting people with preexisting conditions." These junk plans are not required to cover pre-existing conditions, prescription drugs, or maternity benefits, and "generally refuse" to provide coverage to people who are pregnant or who have a history of cancer or other diagnoses, yet Senator Ernst just voted again to promote these harmful plans at Iowans' expense.

"Senator Ernst's support for these reckless junk health plans makes it clear why she has no credibility when it comes to protecting Iowans' health care," said DSCC spokesperson Stewart Boss. "Senator Ernst once bragged about having the 'courage' to gut coverage protections Iowans rely on, but there's nothing courageous about her vote today to uphold these junk plans, which will expose Iowans to higher costs, unreliable care, and weaker protections for critical benefits like pre-existing conditions coverage and maternity care."

In addition to already voting to defend these junk plans, which the American Cancer Society and American Heart Association have vocally opposed, Senator Ernst has voted repeatedly to tear down the health care law and bragged about having the "courage" to gut its protections, like those for pre-existing conditions -- despite acknowledging that if she had succeeded, some "insurance companies would be allowed to offer plans out there that don't cover certain things."