Langevin
Votes to Protect Health Coverage for Rhode Islanders With Pre-Existing
Conditions
Legislation
includes Langevin’s amendment emphasizing protections for people with
disabilities
Congressman Jim Langevin (D-RI) released the following statement after
voting in favor of H.R. 986, the Protecting Americans with
Pre-Existing Conditions Act of 2019, a bill that rescinds Trump
Administration guidance to states that grants them the ability to weaken Affordable
Care Act (ACA) protections for individuals with pre-existing conditions. Langevin spoke on the House floor in support of the bill, which included his amendment addressing the extent to which the Administration’s guidance will harm people with disabilities. The bill passed the U.S. House of Representatives by a vote of 230-183:
“The bill passed today by House Democrats will protect Rhode Islanders and Americans across the country from the Trump Administration’s continued attempts to roll back the Affordable Care Act’s consumer protections, including protections for people with preexisting conditions. It soundly rejects the Administration’s discriminatory guidance and prevents states from promoting inadequate insurance plans that do not cover essential benefits.
“People
with disabilities are at a high risk for losing their health coverage as a
result of the Trump Administration’s efforts to gut the Affordable Care Act.
That’s why I am pleased my amendment addressing just how dangerous the
Administration’s efforts are to people with disabilities was included in
today’s legislation.
“Millions
of American families have quality, affordable health care due to the Affordable
Care Act’s protections. If the President gets his way, this important progress
will be lost. I will continue to do everything in my power to make sure that
does not happen.”
