Illinois senators call on Biden administration to limit sale of 'junk' health plans – The Southern
Illinois Senators Tammy Duckworth and Dick Durbin signed a letter alongside other legislators calling on President Joe Biden’s administration to limit the sale of junk health plans.
Duckworth and Durbin joined Senator Tammy Baldwin (D-WI) and 37 other Senators to send the letter to Sec. Xavier Becerra of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services urging the Biden administration to limit the sale and availability of short-term, limited-duration insurance (STLDI) plans, also known as âjunk plans,â because of their failure to provide adequate, comprehensive health insurance coverage, according to a release from their offices.
These junk plans have the ability to deny coverage to those with pre-existing conditions. And, they donât have to cover essential medical services like emergency room care and prescriptions.
The Senators claim these junk plans are part of a 2018 effort by former President Donald Trumpâs administration to sabotage the Affordable Care Act.
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âThe Trump administration made junk plans more widely available to consumers. Since then, the plans have continued to proliferate, however, they are not required to adhere to important standards, including prohibitions on discrimination against people with pre-existing conditions, coverage for the 10 essential health benefit (EHB) categories and annual out-of-pocket maximums,â the release said.
About 14.5 million Americans signed up for comprehensive health insurance coverage during open enrollment this year, setting a new record, the letter said.Â
These plans provide quality health insurance and thanks to the American Rescue Plan, four out of five consumers who receive health insurance from the marketplace are finding quality coverage for less than $10 per month, and a majority of those enrollees are also receiving subsidies to decrease their co-pays, deductibles, and other out-of-pocket spending, according to the letter.
âWe write to congratulate you and your entire department for this significant achievement and encourage you to take additional steps to ensure that even more Americans are protected from substandard plans that do not provide coverage for pre-existing conditions,â the letter said. âNow is the time to issue new regulations limiting the sale and availability of short-term, limited-duration insurance (STLDI) plans, also known as âjunk plansâ because of their failure to provide adequate coverage.â
The Senators also urged the administration to consider additional efforts to protect patients and consumers such as banning sales during Marketplace Open Enrollment, limiting internet and phone sales, establishing a prohibition on retroactive coverage rescissions, and requiring additional consumer disclosures about plan coverage, the letter said.
Photos: SIU Women’s Basketball | Salukis defend homecourt to defeat Panthers
SIU forward Gabby Walker (20) is blocked by Northern Iowa forward Grace Boffeli (42) during the first half at the Banterra Center on Friday in Carbondale.
SIU guard Makenzie Silvey (12) looks to pass as Northern Iowa guards Karli Rucker (3) and Nicole Kroeger (5) defend during the first half at the Banterra Center on Friday in Carbondale.
SIU guard Makenzie Silvey (12) goes in for a layup as Northern Iowa center Cynthia Wolf (30) tries to stop her during the first half of the game at the Banterra Center on Friday in Carbondale.
SIU guard Makenzie Silvey (12) drives to the basket as Northern Iowa guard Cam Finley (12) defends during the first half at the Banterra Center on Friday in Carbondale.
during the first half of the game at the Banterra Center on Friday in Carbondale.
SIU guard Makenzie Silvey (12) loses control of the ball during the first half of the game at the Banterra Center on Friday in Carbondale.
SIU guard Quierra Love (0) looks to pass the ball against Northern Iowa during the first half of a game at the Banterra Center on Friday in Carbondale.
SIU guard Tyranny Brown (1) goes in for a layup as a Northern Iowa player lays on the grounds during the first half of the game at the Banterra Center on Friday in Carbondale.
SIU forward Gabby Walker (20) dribbles towards center while Northern Iowa center Cynthia Wolf (30) attempts to block during the first half of the game at the Banterra Center on Friday in Carbondale.
SIU guard Quierra Love (0) shoots a layup without any Northern Iowa defense during the first half of the game at the Banterra Center on Friday in Carbondale.
SIU forward Gabby Walker (20) shoots over Northern Iowa center Cynthia Wolf (30) as they attempt to block during the first half of the game at the Banterra Center on Friday in Carbondale.
SIU guard Tyranny Brown (1) dribbles the ball as Northern Iowa guard Kam Finley (12) blocks her during the first half of the game at the Banterra Center on Friday in Carbondale.
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