WASHINGTON – Legislation was introduced Wednesday that would end insurance discrimination against those with pre-existing or chronic illnesses.
Sen. John Rockefeller (D-W.Va.), chairman of the Senate Finance Subcommittee on Health Care, and Rep. Joe Courtney (D-Conn.), a member of the House Education and Labor Committee, have introduced the Pre-existing Condition Patient Protection Act, which would eliminate pre-existing condition exclusions in all insurance markets, a priority set by the Obama administration.
Rockefeller and Courtney said they plan to work closely with the president to enact "this vital legislation."
"We have 133 million Americans living with chronic illness – insurance companies should no longer be allowed to reap profits by denying care to sick Americans," Rockefeller said. "These medical services are not optional, and most times they are not affordable without insurance. Our system is broken, which is why we must eliminate the ability of insurers to deny coverage for pre-existing conditions in every single market. The time for serious action is now."
The Pre-existing Condition Patient Protection Act would require the Secretary of Health and Human Services to submit a report to Congress on the extent of adverse selection, which happens when less healthy people disproportionately enroll in a risk pool. Adverse selection occurs because insurers can no longer exclude patients with pre-existing conditions. The report must include data from private insurers on the characteristics of their insured population.
This new reporting requirement would provide transparency on the true mix of patients and patient claims experience among private insurers, Rockefeller said.
The bill would also require the Government Accountability Office to submit a report to Congress addressing the impact of the legislation on reducing the number of uninsured and underinsured, as well as its effect on the affordability of health insurance coverage.
According to framers of the bill, the GAO report is meant to highlight the positive impact this new policy will have on making coverage more accessible for individuals with chronic conditions, but also recognize that without further regulatory changes, coverage may not be affordable for these individuals.
The Pre-existing Condition Patient Protection Act of 2009 has been endorsed by 22 organizations: the American Autoimmune Related Diseases Association,American Heart Association/American Stroke Association, Association of Black Cardiologists, Inc., Association of Community Cancer Centers, Breast Cancer Network of Strength, Children's Cause for Cancer Advocacy, Congenital Heart Information Network, Dermatology Nurses' Association, First Focus; International Myeloma Foundation, Lung Cancer Alliance, Lupus Foundation of America, Mended Little Hearts, National Association of Pediatric Nurse Practitioners, National Patient Advocate Foundation, Oncology Nursing Society, Ovarian Cancer National Alliance, Pediatric Stroke Network, Inc., Sarcoma Foundation of America, Sudden Cardiac Arrest Association, Leukemia & Lymphoma Society and The Wellness Community.
