WA State Office of the Insurance Commissioner
The Washington state Legislature took action this year to preserve many of the protections included in the Affordable Care Act (ACA)— or Obamacare.
Many of the benefits included in the federal law are not recognized by state law. So if the ACA is overturned by the pending federal court case in Texas or any future action by Congress, millions of Americans would lose the protections they rely on.
State lawmakers looking to insulate Washington consumers from this potential outcome, passed House Bill 1870, putting many vital protections into state law.
Key benefits under the ACA that are now in state law include:
- Health insurers cannot deny anyone coverage because of a pre-existing condition.
- Health plans cannot rescind coverage except in the case of fraud or misrepresentation.
- The 10 Essential Health Benefits must be covered.
- No annual or lifetime limits allowed.
State leaders sent a warning to the congressional delegation earlier this year, warning of what’s at stake. In short, despite the efforts to protect the health benefits many enjoy, if the ACA is overturned, more than 700,000 people could lose coverage.
That’s 700,000 people with lower incomes who were covered thanks to the expansion of Medicaid and 118,000 who receive federal subsidies to buy coverage on our exchange.
