Require insurance companies to cover pre-existing conditions

Health reform bill ends pre-existing condition exclusions

Updated: Thursday, July 16th, 2009 | By Angie Drobnic Holan

After months of talking about health care reform, the U.S. House of Representatives introduced major legislation to overhaul the nation's health care system. House Democrats unveiled the 1,000-plus-page bill, called America's Affordable Health Choices Act of 2009, on July 14, and it includes most of President Barack Obama's key proposals on health reform.

One of Obama's promises was to require insurance companies to cover pre-existing health conditions. The House legislation states that "qualified health benefits plan may not impose any pre-existing condition exclusion."

We should be clear that there's a long way to go — maybe months — before this bill becomes law. It has to pass the House and get through the Senate, where many changes could be made.

Nevertheless, the bill marks significant, measurable progress on Obama's promise, and we rate it In the Works.

Sources: Thomas, HR 3200 , introduced July 14, 2009

U.S. House of Representatives Energy and Commerce Committee, House Democrats Introduce Bill to Provide Quality, Affordable Health Care for All Americans , July 14, 2009

U.S. House of Representatives Committee on Ways and Means, Markup of H.R. 3200, America’s Affordable Health Choices Act , July 16, 2009