Preexisting Conditions

In the forthcoming update to Defying the Odds, we discuss the health issue in the 2018 campaign.  

Colby Itkowitz at WP:

Late Friday night, on the last night of open enrollment, a Texas judge ruled in the lawsuit that the ACA was unconstitutional and the whole law should be overturned Nothing happens to the law yet, this decision will be appealed and likely end up before the Supreme Court, but it certainly puts President Obama’s signature policy accomplishment in the perilous situation.

The big question facing Republicans tonight is whether they will support legislation ensuring people with preexisting conditions continue to receive equitable health insurance coverage. Throughout the campaign, Democrats pointed out the hypocrisy of Republicans supporting the lawsuit while also telling voters preexisting conditions protections would be preserved. The problem with that promise is that Congress has not put in place any safeguards or contingencies for those protections in the event the law gets overturned.

Here's what I mean. Which is the message you want to carry into an election: Let's protect your current coverage, or when we blow up your coverage we'll replace it with something or other? pic.twitter.com/RYL5Utt6pX

— Dave Weigel (@daveweigel) December 15, 2018