WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Chris Murphy (D-Conn.), a member of the U.S. Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee, released a statement on Wednesday following the Trump administration’s new rule expanding short-term health insurance plans. These plans are not subject to the same requirements under the Affordable Care Act (ACA), so they can exclude coverage for people with pre-existing conditions, refuse to cover essential health benefits, impose annual and lifetime limits, and retroactively cancel coverage after patients file claims.  

“President Trump is actively sabotaging the U.S. health care system and millions of Americans are paying the price,” Murphy said. “These junk plans can refuse to cover pre-existing conditions, mental health, substance use services or maternity care. That’s simply not health insurance. I don't know why President Trump is so determined to ruin our health care system, but people in Connecticut need to know what's happening."

In April, Murphy and 48 of his colleagues wrote a letter calling on the Trump administration to halt expansion of junk health insurance plans. Murphy is also a cosponsor of the Fair Care Act, which would prevent greater access to these junk plans.

 

###