Sen. Pam Iovino: Protecting health care a state legislative priority

The constitutionality of the Affordable Care Act (ACA) is once again on the docket of the U.S. Supreme Court. Based on the comments from justices during arguments heard on Tuesday, it appears that the court will not strike down the law in its entirety. Yet there still remains significant uncertainty at the federal level regarding the future of the landmark health care law. This leaves many Pennsylvanians anxiously wondering if they will be able to rely on the ACA’s basic protections — in the middle of a global pandemic.

With uncertainty at the federal level, which could impact millions previously uninsured, Pennsylvania must codify these critical provisions into state law to safeguard the health care of millions across our commonwealth.

The ACA works — the numbers don’t lie. In Pennsylvania, the ACA allowed 1 million individuals without insurance to finally obtain affordable and quality health insurance and the financial security and stability it provides. The ACA benefited 4.5 million Pennsylvanians whose previous plans included lifetime or annual caps, denying financial security for families and potentially risking bankruptcy. Five million Pennsylvanians with preexisting conditions (now including over 230,000 who have recovered from covid-19) now have access to affordable health insurance. And finally, the law also has benefitted 89,000 young adults by allowing them to remain on their parents’ insurance plans.

We cannot risk these vital protections disappearing for millions in our commonwealth if the ACA is overturned or weakened in the courts. For that reason, Pennsylvania Senate Democrats have introduced a package of legislation, co-sponsored in part by Republicans, that would codify these core ACA protections into Pennsylvania law, preserving the benefits on which our families have come to rely. This legislative package is a proactive and prudent effort to protect health care for Pennsylvanians.

With the ACA ever under threat to be overturned, I introduced Senate Bill 939 which would prohibit health insurance policies within the commonwealth from imposing either annual or lifetime limits. If the ban on insurance limits is lifted, Pennsylvanian families again could be exposed to enormous out-of-pocket expenses and the risk of bankruptcy. No one should have to fight with insurance companies when they need to be focused on fighting for their health or focusing on that of a loved one.

The other three bills in the package are Senate Bill 50, which prohibits denial of coverage based on preexisting conditions; Senate Bill 51, which requires that the ACA’s 10 essential health benefits such as prescription drugs, maternity and newborn care, and pediatric services remain covered in all insurance plans; and Senate Bill 982, which allows young adults to stay on their parents’ insurance until they reach age 26.

We have made great progress over the past 10 years in improving health care accessibility and affordability, including the recent launch of Pennie, Pennsylvania’s new state-based health insurance marketplace. We cannot afford to backslide on quality, affordable health care access. Too many Pennsylvanians — our children and working families — rely on the ACA’s fundamental safeguards for their health and well-being.

That is why I will continue to advocate for common-sense legislation in Harrisburg to protect your health care. The majority leadership in the Senate has allowed these bills to sit in committee for over a year without movement. We need action now.

Pennsylvania state Sen. Pam Iovino, a Democrat, represents the 37th District.