Washington, D.C. – Last month the nation watched as the debate on the next Supreme Court Justice turned from her merits to the future of the American health care system. Congressman Michael C. Burgess, M.D. (R-TX), a member of the House Rules Committee and Republican Leader of the House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Health, penned an op-ed for The Hill about how Republicans continue to work to protect those with pre-existing conditions. 

The truth, the whole truth about protecting preexisting conditions
By Congressman Michael C. Burgess, M.D. 
The Hill
October 30, 2020

U.S. Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg’s passing left a vacancy on the highest court of the land. When President Trump nominated Judge Amy Coney Barrett to replace the late justice, much of the debate centered not on Judge Barrett’s merits and qualifications, but around the future of the American health care system.

Since the inception of the Affordable Care Act (ACA), Democrats have used the inclusion of preexisting conditions as a weapon against Republicans in the health care narrative. Preexisting conditions do not recognize party lines. That’s something I know and understand personally since I live with one, have a child with one, and even have staff members with them.

Being a doctor, I took an oath to do no harm. When it comes to putting forward sound health policy, I take that oath very seriously. It is frustrating that some choose to play politics instead of putting forward solutions to this critical issue.

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Yet this Congress, there have been four separate occasions when the House of Representatives could have supported protecting those with preexisting conditions regardless of how the Supreme Court rules on the ACA. In each instance, politics took the place of passing sound legislation.

Many have said that those who have been infected with this coronavirus are now considered to have a preexisting condition. It is ironic that in January 2019, a year before we were even aware of this virus, Republicans put forward a resolution that would guarantee that no American could be denied health insurance coverage, or charged more in premiums or cost sharing, due to a previous illness or their health status.

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Fortunately, President Trump and his administration have continued to work to protect those with preexisting conditions. In September, behind the leadership of House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.), the House Republican Conference renewed its commitment to protecting those with preexisting conditions in our “Commitment to America."

Instead of looking to put another notch on their political scorecard, Democrats should have taken the time to work with Republicans to solidify preexisting condition protections into law. They still can. Republicans remain ready at the table to move toward a health care system that will serve all Americans, increase options and transparency while lowering costs.

It is time to step away from the notion that Washington knows best. Health care should have never been placed in the hands of bureaucrats. Doctors need to be permitted to be doctors again. We need to return authority to the states to oversee their health care markets and encourage interstate collaboration.