NewsPolitical

Actions

PolitiFact Wisconsin: Pence's healthcare promise

Posted at 6:38 PM, Jun 15, 2017
and last updated 2017-06-15 19:39:04-04

Pre-existing medical conditions are a big part of the health care debate. Will they be covered? Will that coverage cost more?
 
PolitiFact Wisconsin looks at a promise made by Vice President Mike Pence.
 
Pence visited Milwaukee Saturday and talked about the GOP's plan to repeal and replace what Republicans like to call “Obamacare.”
 
"He promised that under the Republican plan to replace Obamacare that people with pre-existing medical conditions will have access to care with quote no exceptions," said Tom Kertscher with the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel.
 
PolitiFact Wisconsin says The Affordable Care Act under former President Barack Obama prohibits insurance companies from denying coverage—or charging higher premiums—for a pre-existing medical condition.
 
The GOP plan says insurers have to provide access to coverage for those with pre-existing conditions but it doesn't say anything about not charging them higher premiums.
 
"However there has been some talk in the Senate of making changes so that not only would people be able to get coverage for pre-existing condition," Kertscher said, "but they wouldn't be able to be charged more."
 
Pence's claim was a promise so PolitiFact Wisconsin did not give it a Truth O'Meter rating.
 
"As it stands now the Republican plan would not protect people against premium increases for pre-existing medical condition," Kertscher said, "however that could change if the bill is changed by the U.S. Senate."
 
The GOP healthcare plan passed the House with no Democratic votes.