WASHINGTON – Today, Representative Chrissy Houlahan (D-PA) voted to pass H.R. 986, the Protecting Americans with Pre-Existing Conditions Act of 2019. The bipartisan bill thwarts the President’s Administration’s efforts to weaken the Affordable Care Act’s critical protections for Americans with pre-existing conditions. The House passed the bill 230-183.

“I made a promise to my community when I ran for Congress – to protect and improve their health care,” said Houlahan. “I voted today to protect the over two million Pennsylvanians who have pre-existing conditions. Every Americans deserves access to affordable and quality health care. This bipartisan legislation marks a critical step in realizing that vision for our Commonwealth and for our entire country.”

On October 22, 2018, the Administration continued its ongoing assault on Americans’ health care by issuing new, dangerous guidance on Section 1332 waivers (State Innovation Waivers), allowing states to undermine the ACA’s essential protections for people with pre-existing conditions. Among other provisions, the guidance allows states to promote junk insurance plans that discriminate against people with pre-existing conditions and do not cover essential benefits.

H.R. 986, the Protecting Americans with Pre-Existing Conditions Act of 2019, rescinds this damaging, dangerous guidance immediately, thereby reinforcing the ACA’s vital protections for people with pre-existing conditions. It also prevents the Secretaries of HHS and Treasury from promulgating any substantially similar guidance or rule in the future.

Houlahan is an Air Force veteran, an engineer, a serial entrepreneur, an educator, and a nonprofit leader. She’s in her first term representing Pennsylvania’s 6th Congressional District, which encompasses Chester County and southern Berks County. She serves on the House Armed Services Committee, the House Foreign Affairs Committee, and the House Small Business Committee.

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