In response to ongoing Republican efforts to rip away affordable, quality health care, including protections for preexisting conditions, today, U.S. Rep. Kathy Castor (D-FL-14) introduced a resolution of opposition to the Trump Administration’s rule that would allow insurance companies to sell sub-par junk health insurance plans:

“On behalf of American families, we must fight Republican efforts to rip health coverage away and increase health care costs.  The health of my neighbors in Tampa, across Florida and indeed the entire country is a top priority.  That is why I have introduced legislation to stop the Trump Administration’s newest attempt to sabotage affordable and meaningful health care coverage,” U.S. Rep. Castor said.  “The Trump-approved junk health insurance plans do not even meet the basic needs of our neighbors.  Instead of protecting patients at moments they need help the most, these plans would return us to the days of unreasonable limits on coverage, exclusion of vital benefits and costly medical bills.”

U.S. Rep. Castor’s resolution would override the Trump Administration’s rule to allow insurance companies to sell sub-par junk health insurance plans and is supported by Democratic leadership in the U.S. House, including Democratic Whip Steny Hoyer (MD-5), Energy and Commerce Ranking Member Frank Pallone (NJ-6), Way and Means Ranking Member Richard Neal (MA-1) and Education and the Workforce Ranking Member U.S. Rep. Bobby Scott (VA-3).

“Over the past two years, we have seen an unprecedented assault on affordable health care by the Trump Administration and Republicans in Congress, including GOP nominee for Florida Governor Ron DeSantis,” U.S. Rep. Castor went on to say.  “In addition to Washington Republicans, Florida Governor Rick Scott and Attorney General Pam Bondi have actively worked to sabotage the vital consumer protections included in the Affordable Care Act (ACA) that protect our neighbors, especially those with preexisting conditions like asthma, diabetes, cancer, substance use disorder or Alzheimer’s.”

According to a recent analysis by the Urban Institute, the number of our neighbors without minimum essential coverage is estimated to increase by 2.6 million in 2019, and premiums for others who would be in a now depleted pool could increase by more than 18 percent thanks to the Trump Administration’s sub-par junk health insurance expansion and other sabotage efforts.

Energy and Commerce Ranking Member Pallone added: “The Trump Administration’s plan to con people into buying junk health insurance proves yet again that this Administration will stop at nothing to advance its goal of dismantling the American health care system, no matter the cost to American families.  I thank U.S. Rep. Castor for her continued leadership on working to make health care more accessible and affordable for all Americans, and urge my colleagues to support her CRA to repeal President Trump’s disgraceful junk insurance rule.”

“These junk health insurance plans are bad for our neighbors – especially for our seniors and others with preexisting conditions - and are bad for our country’s economy,” U.S. Rep. Castor continued.  “We cannot return to the days when insurance companies were allowed to discriminate based on a health condition.”

U.S. Rep. Castor serves as the Vice Ranking Member of the U.S. House Energy & Commerce Committee, which has oversight over health care policy.  U.S. Rep. Castor helped to craft the Affordable Care Act that protects the coverage of so many Florida families today.  Throughout last summer’s assault on the ACA, U.S. Rep. Castor joined with families, small business owners, seniors, patients, as well as health care professionals and advocates, in Washington, D.C. and in her district of Tampa, Fla., to highlight the devastating impact that White House and Republican efforts would have on the huge gains in coverage and peace of mind that the ACA has brought families across the country.

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