Congresswoman Barragan

May 9, 2019

CONTACT: Clarissa Rojas

202-225-8220

WASHINGTON, D.C.– Today, Rep. Nanette Diaz Barragán (CA-44) voted to pass H.R. 986, the Protecting Americans with Pre-Existing Conditions Act, to block the Trump Administration’s dangerous guidance that gives states the ability to weaken the Affordable Care Act’s critical protections for Americans with pre-existing conditions.

“Everyone deserves to live in an America where they are not openly discriminated against and blatantly denied care just because they have a pre-existing condition,” said Rep. Barragán. “This bill is critical to ensuring the nearly 17 million Californians living with pre-existing conditions have affordable, adequate and accessible healthcare. I’m proud to join my colleagues in passing H.R. 986 to reverse the Trump Administration’s damaging, dangerous guidance and reinforce the lifesaving benefits that my constituents and millions of Americans rely on.”

On October 22, 2018, the Trump Administration issued new guidance allowing states to promote insurance plans that discriminate against people with pre-existing conditions and do not cover essential benefits. The Administration’s guidance undermines the stability of the healthcare market and allows states to promote so-called “short-term, limited-duration” insurance options that directly discriminate against people with pre-existing conditions.  Unlike ACA plans, these junk plans can eliminate coverage of pre-existing conditions, charge premiums based on health status or reject patients altogether. The guidance even goes so far as to allow states to use federal taxpayer dollars to subsidize the purchase of these plans.

Yesterday, the House also passed two bipartisan bills to reduce the price of prescription drugs by removing barriers to more affordable generic versions of brand-name drugs coming to market, H.R 1503 and H.R. 1520.

###

Nanette Diaz Barragán is proud to represent California’s 44th Congressional District, which includes the communities of Carson, Compton, Florence-Firestone, Lynwood, North Long Beach, Rancho Dominguez, San Pedro, South Gate, Walnut Park, Watts, Willowbrook and Wilmington.