Congresswoman Katie Porter (CA-45) today joined the House of Representatives in passing the Protecting Americans with Preexisting Conditions Act of 2019, which would protect Americans with pre-existing conditions by preventing insurance companies from selling “junk” healthcare plans.

The legislation included an amendment from Rep. Porter, which prohibits the Administration from taking any action that would reduce the number of individuals enrolled in coverage that is as comprehensive as the coverage defined in the Affordable Care Act. 

“The Trump Administration is gutting the Affordable Care Act to allow insurance companies to sell garbage healthcare plans that don’t cover people with pre-existing conditions. This is unacceptable, and I’m proud to stand up against giant insurance companies on behalf of Orange County families,” said Rep. Porter.

Representatives Lauren Underwood, Colin Allred, and Abby Finkenauer joined Porter in introducing the amendment.

Rep. Underwood said, “Americans have made themselves heard loud and clear: they want their representatives to protect their access to quality health care. I’m proud to work with Rep. Porter to ensure Americans in all states have access insurance that covers services families rely on like maternity care and prescription drug coverage.”

Nationally, more than 130 million individuals have a preexisting condition, and in California’s 45th district alone there are more than 338,000. Many of these individuals gained coverage, or received more affordable coverage, because of new protections established under the Affordable Care Act. This legislation will protect these individuals, while still enabling states to create innovative new coverage options with state waivers.

Rep. Porter has supported other legislation, including the Protecting Pre-Existing Conditions & Making Health Care More Affordable Act of 2019, to fix the pieces of the Affordable Care Act that aren’t working. Rep. Porter will continue working to keep her commitment to Orange County families to ensure everyone has access to quality, affordable care.

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