TEXANS WITH PRE-EXISTING CONDITIONS NOW HAVE AFFORDABLE HEALTH CARE COVERAGE

Dallas, TX — (Tuesday, August 24, 2010) Texas, along with 21 other states, has decided to not participate in the Federal health insurance pools as mandated by the new Affordable Care Act. However, Congresswoman Johnson’s recommendation to provide affordable health insurance coverage for individuals with pre-existing conditions was well received by U. S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), Secretary, Kathleen Sebelius.  

“I am pleased that this program is up and running,” said Congresswoman Johnson. “I specifically asked for coverage for those with pre-existing conditions.”  

According to the Texas Medical Association, there are currently 5.4 million Texans who lack health insurance for which 1.5 million of them are children. The federal funding would expand the existing high risk pool offered in Texas in the amount of $493 million. Program eligibility is as follows:

1). The applicant must be a citizen or national of the United States, or lawfully present in the Unites States;

2). The applicant must have been uninsured for at least the last six months before they apply; and

3). The applicant must have had a problem obtaining insurance due to a pre-existing condition.

The pre-existing condition insurance plan will cover a broad range of health benefits to include: primary care, specialty care, hospital and prescription drugs.

HHS began accepting applications on August, 1, 2010. For more information on the program and how to apply, please visit https://pcip.gov/Apply.html.



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U.S. Representative Eddie Bernice Johnson is the highest-ranking Texan on the House Committee on Transportation & Infrastructure and a senior member of the Science Committee. She represents the 30th Congressional District of Texas, which, includes Downtown Dallas, Fair Park, Oak Lawn, Turtle Creek, Old East Dallas, Pleasant Grove, & South Oak Cliff; all of Balch Springs, DeSoto, Hutchins, Lancaster & Wilmer and parts of Cedar Hill, Duncanville, Ferris, Glenn Heights and Ovilla.