Alabama lawmakers are considering an unregulated health plan that allows coverage to be denied or priced at a premium for preexisting conditions. Tell them this is unacceptable.
The House Health Committee will consider HB 477, which could authorize junk health plans, this Wednesday, April 2, at 10:30 a.m. Your representatives need to hear from concerned advocates before Wednesday that they should oppose HB 477.
HB 477 by Rep. David Faulkner, R-Mountain Brook, would allow a “nonprofit agricultural organization” to offer unregulated health plans to its members in Alabama. The bill explicitly says these benefits would “not [be] provided through an insurance policy.” |
These junk health plans could deny someone coverage based on their previous medical history or charge higher premiums for individuals with preexisting conditions. They also would not have to limit annual and lifetime out-of-pocket costs for consumers, which could leave patients with massive medical bills or force them to forgo needed treatment.
The plans offered under HB 477 would not ensure affordable or adequate health coverage for the nearly 200,000 Alabamians in our state’s coverage gap. Lawmakers should focus instead on boosting our state’s workforce by expanding Medicaid coverage to ensure every Alabamian can get the health care they need to survive and thrive. |
