GOP Senators Introduce Bill to Preserve ACA's Pre-Existing Conditions Protections

Ten Republican senators last week introduced a bill to shield Affordable Care Act (ACA) provisions for people with pre-existing conditions, reports The Hill . The proposal is an attempt to counter Democratic attacks on Republicans' alleged ties to the Trump administration's decision not to defend some ACA provisions in a federal lawsuit filed by red states. "There are strong opinions on both sides when it comes to how we should overhaul our nation's broken healthcare system, but the one thing we can all agree on is that we should protect healthcare for Americans with pre-existing conditions and ensure they have access to good coverage," said Sen. Thom Tillis (R-N.C.). "This legislation is a common-sense solution that guarantees Americans with preexisting conditions will have healthcare coverage, regardless of how our judicial system rules on the future of the ACA." Senate Republicans claimed their bill would revise federal law to guarantee the availability of health insurance to all Americans, including those with pre-existing conditions, regardless of the lawsuit's outcome. It also would prevent insurers from hiking premiums due to pre-existing conditions, but health experts said insurers would be permitted to exclude coverage of pre-existing conditions. "This legislation is needed now more than ever to give ... all Americans, the certainty they need that protections for those with pre-existing conditions will remain intact," said Sen. Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska).