(PA) Casey Vows to Protect People with Pre-Existing Conditions
Casey Holds Aging Committee Hearing on Health Care Policies to Protect Consumers, Lower Costs and Improve Quality
Today, U.S. Senator Bob Casey (D-PA), Ranking Member of the U.S. Senate Special Committee on Aging, held a hearing, “Patient-Focused Care: A Prescription to Reduce Health Care Costs.” During the hearing, Senator Casey vowed to protect people with pre-existing conditions from the Administration’s continuing efforts to undermine the Affordable Care Act (ACA).
An estimated 5.3 million Pennsylvanians under age 65 have a pre-existing condition. Nearly 1.4 million of those individuals are between the ages of 55 and 64. The ACA guarantees that individuals with a pre-existing condition cannot be turned away for health care coverage or be forced to pay more for insurance. However, the Administration’s latest attempt to undermine the ACA, by not defending the law’s consumer protections, would jeopardize health care for millions of people with pre-existing conditions and could drive up costs.
“There are too many Americans that go without health coverage or can’t afford it simply because the cost is too high. We owe patients a system that ensures they can afford the care they need and guarantees that no matter what illness or accident they endure, they will not be denied health insurance,” said Senator Casey. “This is why I will continue fighting for key provisions in the Affordable Care Act, so that we can keep our promise to protect the 5.3 million Pennsylvanians, and millions more throughout the U.S., with pre-existing conditions.”
Reverend Sally Jo Snyder, from Pittsburgh, testified before the committee at the invitation of Sen. Casey. Reverend Snyder is the Director of Advocacy and Consumer Engagement for the Consumer Health Coalition (CHC). CHC educates the public on the importance of actively participating in their health care. As Reverend Snyder stated during her testimony, “The passage of the Affordable Care Act was a watershed moment in our communities, expanding the availability of private insurance coverage as well as Medicaid. Continued threats to these programs undermine community trust and risk the basic health and well-being of Pennsylvanians.”
