U.S. Congresswoman Allyson Y. Schwartz - 13th District of Pennsylvania

U.S. Representative Allyson Y. Schwartz
Representing the 13th Congressional District of Pennsylvania

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 10, 2009

CONTACT: Rachel Magnuson, 202-225-6111


	Members of Congress, AARP, ACOG to Host Press Conference Urging Inclusion of Language Prohibiting Pre-Existing Condition Exclusion in Final Healthcare Reform Package

WASHINGTON, DC – Congressman Courtney, Congresswoman Schwartz, Members of Congress, AARP, and the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) will host a press conference tomorrow, June 11 at 10:00 AM in the United States Capitol (Room HC-7) to emphasize the importance of including language that protects patients by ending the practice of pre-existing condition exclusions in any final healthcare reform package. Courtney and Schwartz will be joined by Rep. John Larson, CT-01, Chairman, House Democratic Caucus, Rep. Barbara Lee, CA-09, Rep. Gerry Connelly, VA-11, Rep. Marcia Fudge, OH-11, Rep. Betty Sutton, OH-4, and Rep. Donna Edwards, MD-4.

U.S. Rep. Joe Courtney (CT-02) sponsored legislation to end pre-existing condition exclusions in both the 110th and 111th Congresses. In March 2009, Representative Courtney introduced H.R. 1558, the Pre-Existing Condition Patient Protection Act, which will provide individuals who suffer from chronic, disabling, and life-threatening conditions with access to comprehensive, meaningful, and affordable health insurance coverage. The bill is supported by 61 Members of Congress and a broad range of patient advocacy and health care organizations.

As the healthcare reform debate intensifies, initial outlines for reform include eliminating pre-existing condition exclusions, but the cosponsors of H.R. 1558 are taking this opportunity to remind legislators on both sides of the aisle that these protections must be supported and remain in any final version of health care reform.

In addition to Courtney’s H.R. 1558, U.S. Rep. Allyson Schwartz (PA-13), is a lead sponsor of The Children’s Health Protection Act of 2009, legislation that would prohibit insurers from imposing pre-existing condition limitations on children under the age of 25.

WHO:             Rep. Joe Courtney, CT-02
                        Rep. John Larson, CT-01, Chairman, House Democratic Caucus
                        Rep. Allyson Schwartz, PA-13
                        Rep. Barbara Lee, CA-09
                        Rep. Gerry Connelly, VA-11
                  Rep. Marcia Fudge, OH-11
                        Rep. Betty Sutton, OH-13
                        Rep. Donna Edwards, MD-4
                        Dr. Gerald Joseph, President, ACOG
                        National Patient Advocate Foundation, Representative TBD
                        *Additional Members of Congress, TBD

WHAT:          Rep. Joe Courtney, Rep. Schwartz and cosponsors of H.R. 1558 to urge support for ending pre-existing condition exclusions in healthcare reform.

WHERE:       United States Capitol
                      Room HC-7
                      Washington, DC

WHEN:          Thursday, June 11 at 10:00 AM

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