On the recordMay 9, 2019
Woman, 9 years ago our Nation took a monumental step forward to address the needs of millions of Americans with a preexisting condition. Before the passage of the Affordable Care Act, individuals across the country were denied coverage or charged higher premiums due to their medical history. While I came to Washington to protect our healthcare, the Trump administration has continued its assault on the Affordable Care Act. In this case, the administration is trying to use an ACA provision designed to give States the ability to test new insurance reforms that could improve the wellbeing of their residents, but, instead, that provision is being used to undermine protections for people with preexisting conditions and the coverage of essential health benefits, all in an effort to prop up junk, short-term insurance plans. Today, we will stand up to that assault on America's healthcare by passing H.R. 986, to nullify these efforts. We must be clear that any future administrative actions by this administration or any other administration should not harm the vulnerable populations that the Affordable Care Act was designed to protect. To that end, my amendment would prohibit any future rule or guidance from diminishing the Affordable Care Act that would result in reduction in the availability, affordability, and comprehensiveness for people with preexisting conditions, the elderly and low-income individuals.…
