The following may be attributed to Representative Steve Stivers, regarding the vote on H.R. 986:

“Make no mistake, Republicans and Democrats are in complete agreement on this: individuals with preexisting conditions must continue to be protected.

However, H.R. 986 is not a good-faith effort to protect preexisting conditions; the Administrative guidance in question allows states to seek waivers in order to offer beneficial and innovative health care plans. The guidance clearly states that waivers cannot, under any circumstances, undermine preexisting conditions protections.

I’ll say it again: individuals with preexisting conditions must continue to be protected, and rather than equivocating deceptive bill titles and demonizing the opposite party, we should all be focused on coming together to further strengthen those protections.

That is why I have cosponsored two other pieces of legislation, H.R. 383, the Continuing Coverage for Preexisting Conditions Act, and H.R. 692, the Pre-existing Conditions Protection Act. Let’s spend our time improving the health care system for everyone, rather than trying to score political points and misleading Americans who expect us to deliver actual relief from the high costs of health care.”

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