Underwood Statement on Continued Assault on Americans’ Access to Quality, Affordable Health Care

WASHINGTON— Today, as the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals hears oral arguments in Republicans' Texas v. U.S. lawsuit, Rep. Lauren Underwood (IL-14) responded to the latest efforts to strike down the entire Affordable Care Act and throw our health system into chaos, including protections for people with preexisting conditions, the ability for people to stay on their parents insurance until the age of 26, and first dollar coverage of preventive services. Rep. Underwood highlighted the devastating impact that the lawsuit could have on hard-working families throughout Illinois and across the country.

"We must honor our promise to safeguard access to quality, affordable health care and to protect people with preexisting conditions. It's hasn't been easy and it's going to continue to be a fight—President Trump and Republicans are trying to deny these important protections every day in the courts, in our statehouses, and in Congress—but it's a fight worth having and I will never let up."

If the Trump Administration gets its way, the health and financial well-being of Illinois families will be devastated by the GOP's reckless health care assault:

• 5,471,600 – Number of Illinoisans who have preexisting conditions and will lose their protections.
• 605,000 – Number of Illinoisans who could lose all health care coverage.
• 91,000 – Young Illinoisans under age 26 who could lose the ability to remain on their parents' insurance.
• $4,597 – Amount of a new "Age Tax" that insurance companies could charge Illinoisans over the age of 50.
• 250,509 – Number of Illinoisans who will pay more for coverage without access to health insurance affordability tax credits.
• 187,357 – Number of Illinois seniors who could have to pay more for their prescription drugs.

In May, legislation Underwood introduced to help protect Americans with preexisting conditions passed the U.S. House of Representatives. The legislation (H.R. 1010) would overturn an Administration rule that expands short-term, limited-duration insurance, commonly known as "junk plans." The legislation followed action by the Administration that finalized a rule expanding short-term, limited-duration health insurance plans that do not have to offer patient protections like coverage for preexisting conditions or essential health benefits like maternity care, prescription drugs, and hospitalization that the Affordable Care Act requires. Underwood is on the Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions subcommittee of the Education and Labor Committee.

Underwood has also introduced legislation, The Health Care Affordability Act (H.R. 1868), to expand eligibility for premium tax credits to consumers with incomes above 400 percent of the federal poverty level, and would increase the size of the tax credit for all income brackets. With this legislation, introduced by Underwood on March 26, more than 10 million Americans who have insurance will see their premium costs reduced, and at least 9 million people who are currently uninsured would have access to lower-cost coverage. Under the legislation, residents of Illinois' 14th Congressional District would be able to buy a Marketplace health plan for 8.5% of their income or less, which would reduce premium costs by hundreds or thousands of dollars for more than 39,000 people, including 75% of the uninsured.

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