August 23, 2018

Senate to Vote on Manchin Resolution to Defend 800k West Virginians with Pre-Existing Conditions

Washington, D.C. – Today the U.S. Senate will vote on an amendment supporting Senator Joe Manchin’s (D-WV) resolution to authorize Senate Legal Counsel to intervene in Texas vs. United States – a pending lawsuit in federal court, on behalf of the U.S. Senate, in order to defend the protections for people with pre-existing conditions. Right now, 20 U.S. Attorneys General, including the Attorney General of West Virginia, are suing to allow insurance companies to once again deny coverage to West Virginians with pre-existing conditions.

Senator Manchin took to the Senate Floor today to encourage his colleagues to support the resolution. To watch the video of Senator Manchin’s remarks, click here.

To read Senator Manchin’s amendment, click here.

Read Senator Manchin’s floor remarks as prepared for delivery below:

This body is about to vote on my resolution to protect nearly 800,000 West Virginians and millions of Americans from the dangerous lawsuit 20 U.S. Attorneys General, including West Virginias Attorney General, are leading to once again allow insurance companies to deny coverage to those with pre-existing conditions.

This resolution will authorize the Senate Legal Counsel to intervene in this cruel lawsuit on behalf of the U.S. Senate to defend these men, women and children and fight for their right to affordable health insurance access.

The Department of Justice has recklessly refused to defend the law and as a result the nearly 800,000 West Virginians – 90,600 of those being children – with cancer, heart disease, asthma, diabetes or women who dare to have a baby, at risk of financial jeopardy if they get sick.

But we have an opportunity today to stand up for the millions of Americans with pre-existing conditions that are trusting us to protect their healthcare access. It’s just common sense and I encourage all of my colleagues to support this resolution

I will continue to look for ways to work across the aisle to ensure every West Virginian has access to healthcare despite their health status.

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