summary
Introduced
02/06/2019
02/06/2019
In Committee
04/03/2019
04/03/2019
Crossed Over
05/14/2019
05/14/2019
Passed
Dead
12/31/2020
12/31/2020
Introduced Session
116th Congress
Bill Summary
Protecting Americans with Preexisting Conditions Act of 2019 Protecting Americans with Preexisting Conditions Act of 2019 (Sec. 3) This bill nullifies guidance from the Department of the Treasury and the Department of Health and Human Services titled State Relief and Empowerment Waivers, published on October 24, 2018. The guidance pertains to Section 1332 waivers (also known as State Innovation Waivers or State Relief and Empowerment Waivers), which allow states to forego certain requirements of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act in order to implement experimental plans for health care coverage, as long as the resulting coverage meets certain statutory criteria. The guidance, which supersedes earlier guidance from 2015, alters agency interpretation of how states may satisfy the statutory criteria for waiver approval. For example, the guidance (1) redefines acceptable coverage under such waivers to include short-term, limited-duration insurance and association health plans; (2) allows the comprehensiveness and affordability of coverage under such waivers to be assessed based on projected availability, rather than enrollment; and (3) allows the level of coverage to be assessed based on the effects over the entire course of the waiver, rather than per year. (Sec. 4) The Government Accountability Office must report on the number of individuals that would have been expected to lose access to health insurance coverage, as well as the expected effect on mental health care treatment, in the absence of this bill.
AI Summary
This bill nullifies guidance from the Department of the Treasury and the Department of Health and Human Services that altered the interpretation of Section 1332 waivers under the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (ACA). The guidance had allowed states to forego certain ACA requirements and implement plans that could potentially discriminate against individuals with pre-existing conditions. The bill prohibits the administration from taking any action to implement, enforce, or give effect to this guidance, and requires the Government Accountability Office to report on the expected impact of such waivers on health insurance coverage and mental health care treatment.
Committee Categories
Business and Industry, Health and Social Services
Sponsors (20)
Ann Kuster (D)*,
Don Beyer (D),
Lisa Blunt Rochester (D),
Kathy Castor (D),
Yvette Clarke (D),
Joe Courtney (D),
Debbie Dingell (D),
Anna Eshoo (D),
Jared Golden (D),
Joseph Kennedy (D),
Doris Matsui (D),
Betty McCollum (D),
Debbie Mucarsel-Powell (D),
Frank Pallone (D),
Raul Ruiz (D),
Bobby Rush (D),
Jan Schakowsky (D),
Kurt Schrader (D),
Jeff Van Drew (R),
Peter Welch (D),
Last Action
Read the second time. Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 90. (on 05/15/2019)
Official Document
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