DeFazio Votes to Help Oregonians Keep the Health Plans They Have

Floor Speech

Today, the U.S. House approved H.R. 3350 -- "Keep Your Health Plan Act of 2013." The bill would allow Americans to continue purchasing individual policies for one more year from health insurance companies, even if the plan does not meet the requirements of the Affordable Care Act. The final vote was 261 to 157.

Rep. Peter DeFazio (OR-04) issued the following statement:

"I have never pretended that the Affordable Care Act is perfect. From the day this law was enacted, I have made it clear that I am willing to work with members of Congress on both sides of the aisle to pass common sense fixes to the law. Today's bill is an example of one of those fixes and that's why I joined with Democrats and Republicans to make it easier for Oregonians who like their insurance plan to keep that plan.

"I agree with the idea that people with existing policies should be able to keep them another year. While this bill would improve the ACA, it would not force insurance companies to do the right thing and allow anyone who wants to keep the plan they have. It is likely that some people could still end up with canceled policies. I have asked the Oregon Insurance Commissioner to require insurance providers to offer current plans for another year to make sure Oregonians who want to keep their existing plans are able to."

Source