La. Lawmaker Plans To File Bill To Protect Key Provisions Of Obamacare
A state representative plans to bring legislation in the upcoming session that would lock in health care protections for Louisianans with pre-existing conditions and allow dependents to stay on their parents’ plan until 26, even if a pending court case strikes down Obamacare.
"The most important provisions of the law was the protections for those with pre-exisiting conditions, you are talking hundreds of thousands of people that would essentially not be able to acquire coverage," said Plaquemine Representative Chad Brown.
A federal judge in Texas has declared the Affordable Care Act unconstitutional. The case is expected to be heard next in the New Orleans based 5th Circuit Court of Appeals.
Brown says he’s confident they could replace federal laws with state protections if Obamacare is struck down.
"Just take a look at the some of the points that the proponents of the lawsuit in Texas made, one of their wishes was to leave it to the states," said Brown.
Governor John Bel Edwards has already said he'll support legislation in the 2019 regular session that would allow children to stay on their parents' health insurance until age of 26 and make sure people will be protected and have access to coverage if they have pre-existing conditions.