Thread by @CMSeeberger

NEW @CAPAction Memo: On Pre-Existing Condition Protections, Reconciling Rhetoric with Reality Proves Difficult for GOP Senate Candidates. #INSEN #WVSEN #MOSEN #AZSEN #NVSEN #FLSEN #NDSEN #TXSEN #PASEN #MTSEN

2/ GOP candidates are running for office saying that they support protections for people with pre-existing conditions, but lawsuits, administrative actions, and legislation supported by these candidates could lead to these individuals being denied coverage or charged more.

3/ Beyond lawsuits and votes that explicitly undermined these protections, candidates do not support pre-existing condition protections if they refuse to endorse the policy levers that make these protections possible: guaranteed issue, community rating, and EHBs.

4/ Any candidate who says that they support protecting people with pre-existing conditions should answer simple yes/no questions on whether they support each of the three pre-existing condition policy levers.

5/ #INSEN candidate @braun4indiana says "nobody should go broke because they get sick or have a bad accident." But he supports a lawsuit that would end all 3 pre-existing condition policies.

6/ Spokesperson for #WVSEN candidate @MorriseyWV says "It’s misleading to say Morrisey does not support protections for pre-existing conditions… That's just not the truth." But he supports a lawsuit that would end all 3 pre-existing condition policies.

7/ #MOSEN candidate @HawleyMO says "I support coverage for pre-existing conditions. I think insurance companies should be forced to cover pre-existing conditions." But he supports a lawsuit that would end all 3 pre-existing condition policies.

8/ #FLSEN candidate @ScottforFlorida says “I disagree with efforts to dismantle protections for those with pre-existing conditions.” But he supports the AHCA, which would allow states to waive key pre-existing condition protection policies (community rating and EHBs).

9/ #NDSEN candidate @kevincramer says "We need to guarantee that pre-existing conditions are covered." But he voted for the AHCA, which allowed states to charge sick people more and exclude essential benefits like mental health care, substance use treatment, and maternity care.

10/ Spox for #NVSEN @DeanHeller says "Heller believes that Nevadans w/ pre-existing conditions should be protected. Period." But he is original co-sponsor of GCHJ, which allows states to charge sick people more & exclude benefits like hospitalization or Rx drug coverage. Period.

11/ Lyin' @tedcruz is at it again. He says: "Everyone agrees there will & should be coverage for preexisting conditions." But he voted for/partially authored a plan to allow insurers to 1) deny coverage to sick people, 2) charge them more, and 3) sell junk plans w/ no EHBs #TXSEN

12/ #PASEN candidate @louforsenate: "There has to be a plan that makes sure that there's coverage for pre-existing conditions. We can't leave them out w/o any insurance." But he voted for AHCA, which could have subjected sick people to premium surcharges.

13/ #MTSEN candidate @MattForMontana: “I will cont to fight for health reform that... protects Montanans w/ pre-existing conditions." BUT he supported the Senate repeal plan (BCRA + Cruz Amdt), which would have allowed insurers to charge more or deny coverage to sick people.

14/ Before she entered her competitive primary, #AZSEN candidate @MarthaMcSally said: "We’ve got to make sure that people w/ pre-existing conditions get access to health care." She voted for AHCA, allowing insurers to charge consumers premium surcharges for certain health needs.

15/ These craven politicians may say one thing on the campaign trail, but it is critical that they be held accountable for the policies they do and do not support. People's lives -- and livelihood -- are on the line. #ProtectOurCare