NPAF Rallies Against Pre-Existing Condition Limitations

On June 22, two bills were introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives that could change the way pre-existing conditions are considered by medical insurers. The legislation was proposed by the National Patient Advocate Foundation (NPAF), a non-profit organization working toward increased health care access for patients since 1996.

The bills, "The Pre-existing Condition Exclusion Patient Protection Act" (H.R. 2833), introduced by Representative Joe Courtney (D-CT), and The Children's Health Protection Act" (H.R. 2842), introduced by Representative Allyson Schwartz (D-PA), were crafted in response to an increasing outcry from Americans who continue to suffer from health care access problems, especially those with chronic disease conditions.

The proposed legislation would affect almost 94 million Americans who suffer from at least one chronic condition "by changing how and when insurance providers may deny coverage," said Nancy Davenport-Ennis, President and CEO of NPAF.

For example, NPAF believes that the maximum pre-existing condition limitation period should be 3 months. Currently, the limitation period can extend as long as 12 months. NPAF also believes that children should not be subject to any pre-existing condition limitation periods whatsoever.

"We still have much work to do for patients in America, but patients everywhere should celebrate this progressive and patient-friendly legislation," said Davenport-Ennis.

Both bills can be viewed in full at the Library of Congress website.


SOURCE: PR Newswire 07/19/07 and NPAF website