House of Representatives Seeks to Revive Health Care Bill Advocacy

Effort Continues to Revive Health Care Bill

Protection for preexisting conditions now in jeopardy

The White House and some members of the House of Representatives are trying to revive the from a vote on the House floor late last month in the face of widespread opposition. The legislation, called the , was roundly condemned after projections from the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office and others said it would lead to a loss of coverage for 24 million Americans over the next decade, drive up premiums dramatically for people ages 50 to 64, weaken Medicare, and give tax breaks to the tune of $200 billion to insurance companies, drugmakers and other industries. Recent efforts to win over opponents of the bill in the House have included a proposal to allow insurance companies to deny coverage or charge thousands more for people with preexisting health conditions. Barring that discrimination is a centerpiece of the current law, the Affordable Care Act. Green-lighting discrimination against those with preexisting conditions would have enormous consequences. AARP’s Public Policy Institute reports that 25 million people ages 50 to 64 have a preexisting condition, like cancer, heart disease or high blood pressure, for which they could be turned down for coverage on the individual market if discrimination against them were once again permitted. This could mean, for example, denying lifesaving treatments like chemotherapy and dialysis. The 25 million total represents 40 percent of Americans who are 50 to 64. In eight states — Alabama, Arkansas, Georgia, Kentucky, Mississippi, Oklahoma, Tennessee and West Virginia — the percentage of 50- to 64-year-olds with preexisting conditions ranges from 45 to 52 percent. Even before this threat to people with preexisting conditions, the bill would have dealt a punishing financial blow to older Americans. AARP’s Public Policy Institute found that the AHCA would by thousands of dollars a year. The AHCA would allow insurance companies to charge older Americans five times the amount they charge others for the same coverage. At the same time, it would reduce the tax credit that helps low- and middle-income Americans afford health insurance. Together, these provisions add up to an unfair “” that could cost older Americans up to $13,000 per year, according to AARP. Targeting people with preexisting conditions makes a bad bill much worse, in AARP’s view. Watch part two of the update on the new Health Care Bill below.

Also of Interest

Cancel You are leaving AARP.org and going to the website of our trusted provider. The provider’s terms, conditions and policies apply. Please return to AARP.org to learn more about other benefits. Your email address is now confirmed. You'll start receiving the latest news, benefits, events, and programs related to AARP's mission to empower people to choose how they live as they age. You can also by updating your account at anytime. You will be asked to register or log in. Cancel Offer Details Disclosures

Close In the next 24 hours, you will receive an email to confirm your subscription to receive emails related to AARP volunteering. Once you confirm that subscription, you will regularly receive communications related to AARP volunteering. In the meantime, please feel free to search for ways to make a difference in your community at Javascript must be enabled to use this site. Please enable Javascript in your browser and try again.