October 10, 2018, Senate Democrats including Minnesota Senators Amy Klobuchar and Tina Smith attempted to block the Trump-Pence administration’s executive rule authorizing the revival of dangerous, pre-ACA style junk plans. Reintroducing junk plans will allow insurance companies to deny coverage to people with pre-existing conditions. Under Trump’s rule, insurers can offer plans that exclude essential health services like maternity coverage, substance abuse treatment, and mental health care.
Despite the facts, Republican candidates have opposed protections for people with pre-existing conditions and continue to falsely push these junk health plans. This Senate vote underscores the importance of electing lawmakers who will work to protect people with pre-existing conditions.
Republican candidates like Karin Housley, Erik Paulsen, and Jason Lewis all say that they support protections for people with pre-existing conditions, but they have made it clear: no matter what they say on the campaign trail, they will not actually protect people with pre-existing conditions.
Karin Housley
Karin Housely is running for U.S. Senate against lifelong champion for women, reproductive rights, and health care Tina Smith.
Karin Housley has vowed to be a “rubber stamp” for the Trump-Pence administration’s legislative agenda, which means she would support junk plans that threaten coverage for millions of Minnesotans who have pre-existing conditions.
Jason Lewis (MN-02)
Jason Lewis is running for re-election to the U.S. House of Representatives in Minnesota's 2nd District against Angie Craig, a health care champion who will fight to expand access to health care for all Minnesotans.
Lewis has said he would keep language about pre-existing conditions on the books, but he is also on the record supporting junk plans, as he actively advocated for them during the GOP repeal effort in 2017 and voted for a bill that would allow for junk plans to be “shielded from state regulation.”
Erik Paulsen (MN-03)
Erik Paulsen is running for re-election to the U.S. House of Representatives in Minnesota's 3rd District against Dean Phillips, a dedicated advocate for reproductive rights and affordable health care access.
Erik Paulsen says he supports protecting patients with pre-existing conditions, but votes with Trump 97% of the time and has shown through his vote for the bill to revive junk plans that would be “shielded from state regulation.”
Pledge to Vote for Reproductive Health Champions
In Minnesota, more than 2 million individuals or 51% of the non-elderly population has a pre-existing condition and more than 1.1 million women in Minnesota have pre-existing conditions, many of whom could be charged more or denied coverage under these plans.
This November, a vote for a candidate who supports these junk health plans is a vote against protecting people with pre-existing conditions. Pledge to vote for health care champions who will work to protect and expand access to health care and represent Minnesota values.
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