Dem lawmakers to introduce pre-existing condition protection legislation
Democratic state Reps. Jeff Crossman (D-Parma) and Randi Clites (D-Ravenna) will hold a press conference Wednesday, Oct. 23, at 10 a.m.in the Harding Senate Press Briefing Room to introduce legislation that will incorporate protections for patients with pre-existing conditions from the Affordable Care Act (ACA) into Ohio law. While Representatives Crossman and Clites have been working on this legislation for several months, they are choosing to introduce this legislation during Breast Cancer Awareness month and ahead of this year’s ACA open enrollment date of November 1. This legislation is also offered amid an expected ruling any day in Texas v. U.S. which is pending in the Federal 5th Circuit Court of Appeals and threatens healthcare coverage for persons across the country, including many Ohioans.
“There is a very real possibility that the Federal Courts may strike down the ACA and the health care coverage that currently exists for patients suffering from pre-existing conditions. According to a recent report from the Kaiser Foundation, approximately 2 million Ohioans may lose their health care coverage if the ACA is ultimately overturned by the Courts.” said Rep. Jeff Crossman (D-Parma). “We need to incorporate these protections now to ensure that every Ohioan will have access to affordable quality healthcare regardless of what the U.S. Supreme Court ultimately does with this lawsuit.”
“The patient protections in the Affordable Care Act were life changing for not only my family, but for millions of Ohioans. It is our responsibility to ensure Ohioans can live with the security and stability of knowing that they will have access to affordable care when they’re sick,” said Rep. Randi Clites (D-Ravenna). “I know first-hand the struggles families face when a loved one gets sick; you shouldn’t have to fight your insurance company to make sure you get the care you need when making tough medical decisions.”
WHO: State Rep. Jeff Crossman (D-Parma); State Rep. Randi Clites (D-Ravenna); Tori Geib, Susan G. Komen Foundation; Kelly Maynard, Little Hercules Foundation; Susan Hyde, UHCANOhio
WHAT: Press Conference
WHEN: Wednesday, October 23, 2019, at 10 a.m.
WHERE: Warren G. Harding Press Room, Ohio Statehouse