Governor signs bill that makes pre-existing health conditions guarantee the law in Delaware

331
Advertisement

Governor John Carney  signed  Senate Bill 35 and Senate Substitute 1 for Senate Bill 92, two pieces of legislation that put provisions of the Affordable Care Act (Obama care) into Delaware code.

The bill includes provisions for Delawareans with pre-existing conditions, the guaranteed availability of coverage, and permissible rating factors. 

A second bill,  Senate Substitute 1 for Senate Bill 92 will provide dental coverage for all eligible adult Medicaid recipients. The bills passed on a party-line vote in the House, but picked up some Republican votes in the Senate.

“All Delawareans and Delaware families deserve access to quality, affordable health care,” said  Carney. “Both of these pieces of legislation will help us deliver on that promise. Senate Bill 35 will codify in Delaware law many of the protections in the Affordable Care Act – including protections for Delawareans with pre-existing medical conditions.

Efforts to repeal the Affordable Care Act continue, with appeals underway on a lower court ruling that stated the act was unconstitutional. Foes claim coverage for pre-existing conditions will continue, but have not introduced legislation that would repeal and replace the care act  with a guarantee of coverage for pre-existing conditions.

Advertisement

“Ensuring that Delawareans continue to receive the vital health care they need and deserve is paramount to my mission as Insurance Commissioner,” said Delaware Insurance Commissioner Trinidad Navarro. “Under this bill, Delaware guarantees that the most vulnerable consumers will continue to receive coverage. I thank Representative Bush and Senator Paradee for their commitment to protecting Delaware consumers.”

 

Advertisement
Advertisement