November 06, 2013

Manchin Cosponsors Bill to Guarantee Individuals Can Keep Existing Health Plan

The Keeping the A.C.A. Promise Act will prevent insurers from cancelling existing plans that policyholders would like to keep

Washington, D.C. — U.S. Senator Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.) has cosponsored a bill with Senator Mary Landrieu (D-LA) to ensure individuals can keep their existing health insurance plans and prevent insurers from cancelling coverage. The “Keeping the Affordable Care Act Promise Act” will require insurers to provide a detailed notice and explanation to policyholders before cancelling coverage. This legislation will also provide individuals with information from their insurance provider on parts of the policy that do not meet minimum coverage standards made available in new plans. This will allow consumers to make informed decisions about their health plans.

“This bill will make sure the promise made to the American people — that they can keep the health plans they have — is kept,” said Senator Manchin.  “I will continue to do everything I can to make sure necessary changes are made to the healthcare law, and monitor how this law is affecting hardworking people in West Virginia.”

Legislative actions Senator Manchin supports to repair the Affordable Care Act:

1) 1099 Provision: Removes requirement that would force businesses, charities and churches to file excess forms and filings with IRS.
• Senator Manchin was the lead cosponsor of the legislation, which successfully repealed this provision in 2011.

2) One-Year Delay of Individual Mandate Penalty: Delays individual mandate provision for one year to eliminate penalty fees for not signing up for healthcare coverage, which would give consumers a true transition year.
• Senator Manchin sponsored the legislation.

3) Full Time Workweek Definition Extends to 40-Hours: Changes the definition of a full-time workweek under the law from 30 to 40 hours, which would help small businesses and prevent employees from having their hours reduced.
• Senator Manchin cosponsored the legislation.

4) Grandfather Current Health Care Plans: Allows individuals to stay on their current health care plans and prevents insurers from cancelling coverage currently offered if policyholders would like to continue with their existing plans.
• Senator Manchin cosponsored the legislation.

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