June 30, 2020

Dear John,

The health and safety of North Texans has been my top priority since I came to Congress. This global health crisis has added urgency to the need to expand access to affordable, quality health care. I’ve heard from countless North Texans who are already struggling financially and simply cannot afford an added medical bill due to COVID-19 or any other illness.

That’s why, this week, I helped to pass The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Enhancement Act, a bill that would lower costs, further secure protections for people with pre-existing conditions, negotiate lower drug prices and expand coverage.

The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Enhancement Act:

• Protects people with pre-existing conditions and cracks down on junk plans by reversing the Administration’s expansion of junk plans that do not provide coverage for essential medical treatments and drugs and are allowed to discriminate against people with pre-existing conditions.
  
  
• Lowers health coverage costs by expanding tax credits to lower health insurance premiums and allow more middle-class individuals to qualify for subsidies.
  
  
• Combats inequity in health coverage faced by communities of color.
  
  
• Negotiates lower prescription drug prices for all Americans.
  
  
• Expands coverage and pushes hold-out states, like Texas, to adopt Medicaid expansion, including a measure similar to one I co-sponsored that would incentivize states to expand Medicaid. Expanding Medicaid in Texas would result in more than 1 million Texans gaining coverage.

Since my first day in Congress, I have fought to stop the reckless lawsuit by this Administration which would repeal the Affordable Care Act in its entirety. We need more access to health care, not less. I’ve repeatedly called on my colleagues and the Administration to end the attacks on American families and join my fight to expand access to health care, and lower costs across the board. COVID-19 could be considered a pre-existing condition. 

As hospitalizations due to COVID-19 rise and Dallas County continues to report record-high new cases, now is the time for more support for health care. I urge my colleagues in the Senate, and the Administration to put the American people above politics and pass The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Enhancement Act. 

Sincerely,

Colin Allred
Member of Congress

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