Thread by @healthactionnc

All right, the NC Senate is in session. HB 933--which would endanger people with pre-existing conditions--is on the agenda but not yet being discussed. We'll keep you posted. You can also listen in online at ncleg.net #ncpol #ncga #ProtectOurCare

Don't mind our silence... the NC Senate is discussing other bills at the moment, but the anti-preexisting conditions House Bill 933 is on the agenda and will be voted on fairly soon. #ncga #ncpol #ProtectOurCare

The harmful H.B. 933 to let new health insurers discriminate against people with pre-existing conditions, against older adults, and against women is now on the floor. #ncga #ncpol

Sen. Hise introduces bill. Reminder that this was originally a bill about school psychologists--not about undermining health care protections. So the bill is titled only to reflect the school psychologists issues. Make no mistake, it would endanger pre-existing conditions #ncga

Sen. Hise discusses section 6 as allowing nonprofits to create association health plans that don't comply with state or federal requirements of health insurance. #ncpol #ncga

Sen. Bishop offers an amendment to H.B. 933 related to the non-health insurance portions of the bill. The amendment passes. #ncga #ncgpol

Wow! Sen. Gladys Robinson moves to amend the bill so that no plan sponsored may raise premiums, limit benefits, or deny enrollment based on pre-existing conditions. #ncga #ncpol #ProtectOurCare #hb933

Sen. Robsinon: Most farmers are at least 59 years of age. As we age, we each have some pain in the hip or knee, high blood pressure, or so on. #ncga #ncpol

Senator Hise and another motioned to reject the H.B. 933 amendment to protect people with pre-existing conditions. 32 members of the NC Senate vote against protecting North Carolinians with pre-existing conditions. #ncga #ncpol

After that amendment fails, Sen. Van Duyn speaks: Section 6 plans in this bill are NOT what people have come to expect form health insurance. Lack of oversight by Department of Insurance leaves consumers no recourse in the event of claim denial or if plan becomes insolvent. #ncga

Sen. Van Duyn puts forth another common-sense amendment: put these plans under the oversight of the Department of Insurance. Otherwise there's NO state oversight or regulation whatsoever. #ncga #ncpol #HB933

The amendment to let the state Department of Insurance oversee and regulate these plans--and help their enrollees when problems arise--is defeated. #ncpol #ncga #hb933

Sen. Hise says there's too much government regulation and the solution isn't more government.

Except there's literally ZERO oversight mechanisms for these plans. They're free to do WHATEVER THEY WANT. #ncpol #ncga #hb933 #protectourcare

Sen. Tillman says this proposal will get another competitor in the market to lower premiums. But they're not playing the same game as other insurers--these plans get to refuse to cover people because of their health conditions, their gender, their age, etc. #ncpol #ncga #hb933

It's easy to keep premiums down when (1) you don't have to cover the sick, (2) you don't have to cover the old, (3) you don't have to cover people who will need health care, and (4) you don't have to cover maternity, prescriptions, mental health services, or other benefits. #ncga

Sen. Brown asks “This does nothing to those that may have gone to the exchange, does it?” Sen. Hise: “Those plans will still be in place.” Yes, but they'll become much more expensive and likely unaffordable--especially for folks who don't qualify for financial help. #ncga #ncpol

Under Tennessee’s experience with these plans, premiums SKYROCKETED for people with pre-existing conditions in the traditional insurance market. When the plans can cherry pick young & healthy people out of the real insurance pool, costs rise for everyone else. #ncga #ncpol #hb933

The bill comes up for a second reading and a vote after the amendments were voted down. 37 senators voted for it against 10 who opposed. But there's still the voice vote after 3rd reading left... #ncpol #ncga #hb933

Before 3rd reading can proceed, Sen. Woodard objects. This procedural act prevents the bill from passage, delaying the Senate from taking it up until the next session tomorrow. #ncga #ncpol #hb933

That means the bill hasn't passed--FOR NOW. Our health care is still under threat. The Senate could take this back up tomorrow when they reconvene, and if it passes (they have the votes right now), the House could take it up and send it to the Governor. #ncpol #ncga #hb933

Time to start emailing and calling your legislators! H.B. 933 could pass tomorrow, decimating protections for NCians with pre-existing conditions. Use this link to contact your rep in the state House and your state Senator! #ncga ncjustice.salsalabs.org/nchealthbill2c…

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