Rep. Matsui Highlights That Up to 129 Million Americans with Pre-Existing Conditions Will No Longer Face Discrimination Thanks to the ACA
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Thursday, December 5, 2013
CONTACT: JONELLE TRIMMER
(202) 225-7163
Rep. Matsui Highlights That Up to 129 Million Americans with Pre-Existing Conditions Will No Longer Face Discrimination Thanks to the ACA
If health law was repealed more than 16 million Californians could be denied coverage or charged higher premiums due to pre-existing conditions
Today, Congresswoman Doris Matsui (CA-06) released figures highlighting the number of Californians with pre-existing conditions who will be protected from discrimination beginning in January as a result of the Affordable Care Act (ACA).
As a result of the ACA, for the first time, starting in January, insurance companies will be prohibited from denying health coverage for the up to 129 million Americans with pre-existing conditions such as cancer, asthma and diabetes. This includes more than 16 million adults and children in California. Insurance companies will also no longer be able to charge higher premiums based on gender, health status or health history.
"For too long Americans with pre-existing conditions have been forced to pay more for coverage or feared losing their jobs and being unable to find new health insurance," said Congresswoman Matsui.
"Starting in 2014, millions of Americans with pre-existing conditions will no longer be discriminated against thanks to the Affordable Care Act. Access to health care should be a right, not a privilege, and the protection in the ACA for those with pre-existing conditions is helping make this a reality."
In addition, since 2010, the Affordable Care Act has prohibited insurance companies from denying coverage to up to 17 million children with pre-existing conditions - including up to 2 million children in California.
"Currently the health care costs for our household are a whopping 35 percent of our total income. We both have pre-existing conditions and the only health insurance we can get coverage through is COBRA. This COBRA coverage ends in 2014 so without Obamacare we would be uninsured come January. Please don't turn your back on Obamacare. Those of us with pre-existing conditions absolutely need it ASAP," wrote Barbara, a Sacramento resident and constituent who shared her story with Congresswoman Matsui.
"Like Barbara, millions of people across the country and right here in California no longer have to fear losing their health insurance as a result of a pre-existing condition. It's protections such as these that make the Affordable Care Act so important, and repeal so untenable," added Matsui.
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