Pre-existing conditions would remain covered by health insurance under Haddock bill passed by the PA House

Rep. Jim Haddock October 9, 2024 | 2:34 PM

HARRISBURG, Oct. 9 – Health insurers doing business in Pennsylvania would be prohibited from denying or excluding coverage for pre-existing conditions under legislation that passed the state House today, according to the bill’s prime sponsor, state Rep. Jim Haddock.

“This would ensure that everyone has access to health care, and it would protect people from being denied health insurance or facing higher premiums due to their medical history. Putting this protection in state law that is provided under the federal Affordable Care Act is essential to making sure Pennsylvanians continue to get the health care they need when they need it,” said Haddock, D-Luzerne/Lackawanna.

Haddock said some members of Congress in Washington, D.C. have suggested they would like to repeal the Affordable Care Act.

“Before the federal ACA became law, it was common for people with things like high blood pressure or asthma to be denied health insurance coverage because of having a pre-existing condition. These exclusions meant that many Pennsylvanians could not access essential medical care without unnecessary burdens on their finances and health,” Haddock said. “We don’t want to go back to those policies of the past, so we need to give people peace of mind that their insurance coverage will continue, no matter what happens at the federal level.”

Approximately 5.4 million Pennsylvanians with pre-existing conditions can get health insurance under the ACA.

House Bill 2564 heads to the state Senate for consideration.

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