October 10, 2018

Manchin Votes For Resolution To End Junk Plans That Put Pre-Existing Conditions Protections At Risk

Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senator Joe Manchin (D-WV) cosponsored and voted for a resolution that would have overturned the Administration’s expansion of junk insurance plans that can deny coverage to people with pre-existing conditions and don’t have to provide coverage for essential health services like prescription drugs, emergency room visits and maternity care. The resolution failed 50-50.

“As a Senator from a state with nearly 800,000 West Virginians with pre-existing conditions, I cannot allow a rewrite of health insurance rules that will put their coverage at risk. These misleading junk insurance plans can deny coverage to West Virginians with pre-existing conditions and don’t have to provide essential health services like prescription drugs, emergency room visits and maternity care. I am fighting to ensure that every West Virginian with pre-existing conditions, and those who may someday have a pre-existing condition, cannot be denied healthcare coverage or be charged more for their coverage. I am disappointed this CRA failed, but I will not stop fighting to protect West Virginians’ healthcare,” Senator Manchin said.

Senator Manchin has been hosting roundtables with West Virginians with pre-existing conditions, religious leaders, small business owners, and community officials in West Virginia to discuss the ongoing threat to pre-existing conditions protections. Right now, the Attorney General of West Virginia is suing to allow insurance companies to once again deny coverage to West Virginians with pre-existing conditions. The lawsuit, Texas vs. United States, is challenging the constitutionality of the Affordable Care Act, including the law’s consumer protections for people with pre-existing conditions, and the Department of Justice has declined to defend these critical pre-existing condition protections.

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