Senator Harkin on Health Care Reform

Stresses Importance Of Health Care Reform For Individuals With Preexisting Conditions

June 23, 2009 -- Washington, DC – Senator Tom Harkin (D-IA) today attended a Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP) Committee press conference to underline the importance of health care reform for individuals with preexisting conditions. Senator Harkin was joined by Senator Chris Dodd (D-CT) and two individuals, one with Lyme disease, and another with Type 1 Diabetes, who relayed how difficult it can be to attain coverage with a preexisting medical condition.

The Affordable Health Choices Act, currently being marked up by the Senate HELP Committee, would prevent insurance companies from turning people away or denying coverage based simply on preexisting conditions, health status or medical conditions.

“Currently, the private health insurance system openly discriminates against individuals with a history of illness. This is an especially acute problem for millions of Americans with disabilities,” said Harkin. “The health reform bill we are marking up in the HELP Committee is going to ensure access to affordable, quality care for every American. And it is going to put a stop to a gross injustice in our current health care system: the denial of coverage to people with preexisting conditions.”

Source: Senator Tom Harkin