• March 29th, 2024
  • Friday, 10:14:08 AM

Arguing Against Preexisting Conditions?


Photo: Office of Rep. Lujan Grisham

By Michelle Lujan Grisham

 

Editor’s Note: Rep. Michelle Lujan Grisham (NM-01) released the following statement in reaction to the Trump Administration’s decision to argue that protections in the Affordable Care Act (ACA) for individuals with preexisting conditions are unconstitutional. If the administration prevails in court, denying coverage or raising prices for patients with preexisting conditions will once again be legal in the United States:

I am appalled and disgusted that the Trump Administration would rather enrich health insurance companies than protect pregnant mothers and patients with asthma, cancer, diabetes, or heart disease. If we go back to the days when insurance companies could arbitrarily deny patients lifesaving treatments, procedures, and medications, more than 840,000 New Mexicans who have preexisting conditions would lose coverage and see costs skyrocket.

Under President Trump, health care costs have already increased substantially. This past year, health insurance premiums increased by 34% for silver plans, and next year the non-partisan Congressional Budget Office estimates these premiums will increase an additional 15%. Next year, the number of uninsured Americans will rise by 3 million.

This is unsustainable and is blatantly attributable to President Trump’s decision to attack the ACA and create uncertainty in the health care market, which has driven up costs for all New Mexicans.

 

Congresswoman Michelle Lujan Grisham, a 12th-generation New Mexican, represents New México’s 1st Congressional District, and is Chairwoman of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus.