In a move to counter the House Republicans’ planned vote to repeal Barack Obama’s health care law this week, the White House on Tuesday released data showing that half of all Americans under the age of 65 have pre-existing conditions and could be denied coverage if reform is weakened.
Obama Administration Warns, ‘129 Million Americans With a Pre-Existing Condition Could Be Denied Coverage Without New Health Reform Law’
CNSNews
The HHS analysis found that “anywhere from 50 to 129 million (19 to 50 percent) of Americans under age 65 have some type of pre-existing condition. “Examples of what may be considered a pre-existing condition” (emphasis added) include heart disease, cancer, asthma, high blood pressure, and arthritis, HHS said.
According to HHS, older Americans ages 55-64 are at particular risk because 48 to 86 percent of them live with a pre-existing condition.
The news release also noted that up to 30 percent of people under age 65 who are in good health today “are likely to develop a pre-existing condition over the next eight years.”
HHS explained how insurance companies in many states – before the new health care law took effect – “could deny coverage, charge higher premiums, and/or limit benefits based on pre-existing conditions.” It then explains the “number of protections” that already are in place because of the Democrats’ law.
The news release also touts the new Pre-existing Condition Insurance Plan, “which provides private insurance to those locked out of the insurance market because of a pre-existing condition.” The program “has already saved people’s lives,” HHS says, by covering services such as chemotherapy.
In a 21-page “Pledge to America” unveiled in September, Republicans offered a plan to “repeal and replace the government takeover of health care with common-sense solutions” that lower costs and save jobs.
“Health care should be accessible for all, regardless of pre-existing conditions or past illnesses,” says the Republican pledge. “We will expand state high-risk pools, reinsurance programs and reduce the cost of coverage. We will make it illegal for an insurance company to deny coverage to someone with prior coverage on the basis of a pre-existing condition.”
Sen. Jim DeMint (R-S.C.) told CNSNews.com in November that he does not back the government mandate forcing insurance companies to cover individuals with pre-existing conditions.
He said the states can set up high-risk pools for people with pre-existing conditions.
Costs will skyrocket, DeMint warned, if the federal government forces insurers to cover people who already are sick – because many people will wait until they’re sick to buy insurance.
Insurers Dismiss Administration Claims on Pre-Existing Conditions Barrier (Obama and Sebelius = LIARS ! )
FOX News
House Republicans and members of the health insurance industry are dismissing as a gross overstatement an Obama administration study — released as debate gets underway to repeal the health care law — that says as many as half of all Americans under 65 have a pre-existing condition that could threaten their access to health insurance.
The Department of Health and Human Services study, released Tuesday, concludes that somewhere between 50 million and 129 million non-elderly Americans have a pre-existing condition — the kind of condition insurance companies can use to deny coverage. The study further found that 15-30 percent of people in good health are likely to develop such a condition within eight years.
“We as a nation can’t afford to repeal the health care law,” HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius said on a conference call Tuesday.
But an America’s Health Insurance Plans spokesman said the HHS study creates a disconnect between conditions and coverage.
“It’s exaggerating the number of people who are actually impacted by pre-existing conditions,”said AHIP spokesman Robert Zirkelbach. “Most people who are applying are getting policies.”
Rep. Louie Gohmert, R-Texas, said the suggestion that so many millions would be hurt by the repeal is both wrong and “offensive.”
House Speaker John Boehner describes the repeal as an economic imperative.
Some Democrats have indicated a willingness to compromise and rework a few controversial provisions. That may be where the debate leads. Though the House may have the votes to pass the repeal bill, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev., has vowed to block it in his chamber.
House Majority Leader Eric Cantor, R-Va., dared Reid to bring up the bill.
“If Harry Reid is so confident that the repeal vote should die in the Senate then he should bring it up for a vote if he’s so confident he’s got the votes,” House Majority Leader Eric Cantor, Virginia Republican, told reporters, laying down a challenge to Mr. Reid, the Nevada Democrat who controls the Senate schedule.
Wild Thing’s comment………
The truth simply is not in these people. Let the scare tactics begin…. 5, 4, 3, 2, 1………
As Rush stated yesterday, “life is a preexisting condition.”
As I see it Obamacare denies the right to quality of life, Liberty, and the persuit of happiness to all no matter its intent. Road to Hell is paved with such intent.
Get the Federal government the hell out of our lives for other than the Founders original design, and purpose.
I got a pre-existing condition, I’m allergic to obama’s BS! And I’m allergic to communists taking my money and giving it to people who hate me.
200 economists write in a letter yesterday that ObamaCare needs to be repealed “to promote job growth and help to restore the federal government to fiscal balance.” They note the job-destroying law’s $770 billion tax hikes & $1.5 trillion worth of government spending as key reasons to support the GOP’s move this week to repeal the unconstitutional law.
Where did HHS come up with the numbers “between 50 and 129 million”. Sounds like some dart throws to me. That is not exactly precise figuring. I expect obamacares expected costs and “savings” are probably just as erroneous.
If they could repeal HC it would knock off almost a Trillion from the debt and that’s a conservative estimate.
Tom, good point, they really just want to throw out anything to scare people. Unfortunately too many will sit back and nod oh yes obama speaks the truth.
Mark, wow wouldn’t that be awesome!!! I want it gone so badly.