WHAT IS THE AMERICAN HEALTH CARE ACT?
The American Health Care Act (AHCA) as amended delivers relief from Obamacare’s taxes and mandates that have hurt job creators, increased premiums, and limited options for patients and health care providers. It returns control of health care from Washington back to the states and restores the free market so Americans can access quality, affordable health care options that are tailored to their needs.
Obamacare was based on a one-size-fits-all approach that put bureaucrats in Washington in charge of your health care. The law led to higher costs, fewer choices, and less access to the care people need.
The AHCA will deliver the control and choice individuals and families need to access health care that’s right for them. And provide the freedom and flexibility states, job creators, and health care providers need to deliver quality, affordable health care options.
THE UPTON-LONG AMENDMENT
The Upton-Long Amendment further strengthens the American Health Care Act’s (AHCA) protections for Americans with pre-existing conditions by providing an additional $8 billion in resources over 5 years to those with pre-existing conditions.
WHAT DOES THIS AMENDMENT DO? The Upton-Long amendment strengthens the AHCA by reaffirming our commitment to protect patients with pre-existing conditions.
HOW DOES IT WORK? It dedicates $8 billion solely to reduce premiums and other out-of-pocket costs for patients in the individual market with pre-existing conditions who do not maintain continuous coverage and who live in states that receive a waiver to redesign their insurance market.
HOW DOES IT PROTECT HIGH-RISK INDIVIDUALS? This $8 billion is on top of the $130 billion available to states through the AHCA’s Patient and State Stability Fund, which helps states repair their health markets damaged by Obamacare.
States can use the funds to:
- cut out-of-pocket costs, like premiums and deductibles
- promote access to preventive services, like getting an annual checkup, as well as dental and vision care
- promote participation in private health insurance or to increase the number of options available through the market
Further, the AHCA provides a refundable tax credit to those without other health care options so they can get – and stay covered – before they face a serious medical event or suddenly fall ill. These combined resources reaffirm the commitment from House Republicans to ensure Americans with pre-existing conditions are protected.