Scott Walker floats dropping pre-existing condition rules

Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker (R) says he would consider opting his state out of rules governing pre-existing condition coverage, after the House GOP passed a healthcare bill allowing such a move.

The American Health Care Act, which passed the House on Thursday, would allow states to opt out of what are known as essential health benefit requirements — rules that force insurers to not charge people more because they have pre-existing conditions and cover minimum health services.

Walker on Friday told the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel he would consider applying for a waiver. He noted that the final version of the bill when it goes through the Senate may be very different from what the House passed.

{mosads}“That’s something we would certainly consider. It depends on the conditions, and again, what’s in the House bill could be very different than what’s in the Senate bill and what finally comes to the president, ” Walker said. “So I’m going to wait till I see what’s in the final version.”

House GOP leaders and the Trump administration have argued that the legislation will still protect people with pre-existing conditions because there won’t be many states that apply for waivers. 

A last-minute amendment to the legislation would create an $8 billion fund to help people with pre-existing conditions afford their premiums if they live in a state that waives the ObamaCare benefits. But critics say that won’t be nearly enough to cover the shortfall.