WASHINGTON, DC - Energy and Commerce Committee Republican Leader Greg Walden (R-OR) delivered the following floor statement on H.R. 968, the Protecting Americans with Preexisting Conditions Act.
As Prepared for Delivery
Madam/Mister Speaker - I rise today to call out the mischaracterization of H.R. 986.
The misleading title of this bill confirms the Democratic majority’s passion to score political points instead of governing. They claim their agenda is “for the people." Well, this bill is “for the politics."
Let me be very clear: this bill has nothing to do with protecting Americans with preexisting conditions. This bill has everything to do with eliminating health care options and choices for states.
Section 1332 waivers were first enacted under Obamacare to provide states the opportunity to innovate and provide their residents with affordable health insurance options. And the Trump Administration has simply updated guidance to make it easier for a state’s plan to be approved. This guidance does not - I repeat does not - permit the Secretary to waive pre-existing condition protections.
It’s true. But don’t take my word alone. CMS Administrator Seema Verma confirmed yesterday.
“To be very clear, the 2018 guidance does nothing to erode the PPACA’s pre-existing condition provisions, which cannot be waived under section 1332," wrote Administrator Verma. And then she explains: “Section 1332 does not permit states to waive Public Health Service Act requirements such as guaranteed availability and renewability of health insurance, the prohibition on using health status to vary premiums, and the prohibition on pre-existing conditions exclusions. Furthermore, a section 1332 waiver cannot be approved that might otherwise undermine these requirements. This Administration stands committed to protecting people with pre-existing conditions."
And it’s not just Administrator Verma.
“If H.R. 986 were presented to the President, his advisors would recommend that he veto it," wrote the Trump administration in their Statement of Administration Policy. They go on: “The President has repeatedly made clear that this Administration will protect people with pre-existing conditions. The 2018 guidance in no way alters the guardrails in place for those with pre-existing conditions, and it would not allow the Administration to waive the requirements in place around pre-existing conditions. The title of this legislation gives the misleading impression that it will enhance healthcare protections for Americans with pre-existing conditions."
Put simply, this cynically titled messaging bill is all about scoring political points, not legislating.
If Democratic members actually cared about protecting individuals living with pre-existing condition, they would govern and lock-in these important safeguards.
But since Democratic leaders chose to put politics first, I offered an amendment to protect patients with pre-existing conditions.
Madam/Mister Speaker, this amendment wasn’t even presented to this House for a vote. What a shame.
My bill is simple. It provides guaranteed issue and renewability, a ban on health status underwriting, and a ban on benefits exclusions - real pre-existing condition protections that Democratic members claim they support.
Guess what, it’s titled “the Pre-Existing Conditions Protection Act." Except my bill actually does with the title says. Let’s vote on that bill!
Here’s what it comes down to. The status quo is not working for the majority of Americans. Health care costs are out of control and patients and families are struggling to pay ever-increasing premiums, deductibles, and out-of-pocket costs.
Republicans want to work towards health care solutions that will decrease costs, increase access, protect individuals with pre-existing conditions, and make the health care system work better for patients and families.
We want to let our states innovate, and these Section 1332 waivers - known as state innovation waivers - are working!
Premiums have gone down in seven states by an average of 20 percent! In fact, in my home state of Oregon, premiums were down 6 percent in 2018 thanks to a state innovation waiver.
But instead of allowing more and more states to innovate and lower health care costs, Democrats think Washington knows best. They want to limit the ability of states to innovate on behalf of their citizens. This type of top-down, command-and-control, government-knows-best approach is what leads to policies like the Democrats’ ultimate goal, a one-size-fits-all government takeover of health care in Medicare for All.
A vote in support of this proposal is a vote against innovation, against lowering costs, against your constituents, your legislature, your state insurance commissioner, and your governor. A vote against this bill is a vote “for the people."
Oppose this partisan gimmick. And I yield back.
