Bill > HR4496

This bill, titled the "Covering People With Pre-Existing Conditions Act of 2014," mandates that each state, by January 1, 2015, must operate either a qualified state reinsurance program or a qualifying state high-risk pool to ensure health insurance coverage for individuals with pre-existing conditions, which are medical conditions that a person has before they enroll in a new health insurance plan. A qualified state reinsurance program would provide financial protection to health insurance companies by covering a portion of the costs associated with insuring high-cost enrollees, while a qualifying state high-risk pool would be an existing program that meets stricter requirements, including offering multiple coverage options, having a stable funding source, eliminating waiting lists, covering individuals eligible for Medicare but in a waiting period, limiting premiums, conducting outreach, and covering preventive and chronic disease management services. The bill also specifies that only U.S. citizens and nationals can participate in these programs and appropriates $15 billion for fiscal years 2015-2024 and an additional $10 billion for fiscal years 2020-2024 to support these initiatives, with the Secretary of Health and Human Services having the authority to grant waivers for innovative programs.