Archive for May 1st, 2017

People with Down syndrome and their families are Republicans, Democrats, and Independents. As a nonpartisan, leading research and advocacy organization, the Global Down Syndrome Foundation (Global) is focused on protecting and furthering the rights of people with Down syndrome regardless of party. To this end, we are deeply engaged with developments associated with health care reform, and we are providing an update to our friends and supporters on how this legislation may impact individuals with Down syndrome, how our community can participate in this national debate and take action.

Several weeks ago, President Trump, House Speaker Paul Ryan and other Republican leaders introduced the American Health Care Act (AHCA) to repeal and replace major pieces of the Affordable Care Act also known as Obamacare. The President could not garner enough votes within the Republican Party to pass the AHCA in the House. However, the President and his administration along with several members of Congress have continued negotiating further modifications to this legislative proposal and it is possible that the House of Representatives will schedule a vote as early as this week.

Global is encouraged that certain Obamacare provisions have been retained by the new proposal such as parents being allowed to keep their children up to age 26 on their health insurance policy. However, as the newly negotiated proposal stands, Global is concerned that there is not enough protection for people with pre-existing conditions. Given that Down syndrome may be considered a pre-existing condition by many health insurers and given the prevalence of other pre-existing conditions like certain cancers, and diabetes among individuals with Down syndrome, the importance of this issue cannot be overemphasized.

In particular, we respectfully urge our President and Congress to not include state waivers that would allow health insurers to charge much higher premiums to Americans with pre-existing conditions. We also oppose elimination of the “essential health benefits” requirement meaning health plans could discontinue coverage for many crucial medical services.

If you share these concerns, or have other concerns, please contact your local U.S. Representative and let them know that these areas of health care should not be sacrificed and that the most vulnerable Americans need protection.

As Congress continues debate on health care reform, Global is dedicated to working with our friends on both sides of the aisle, and with our Down syndrome and differently-abled communities, to ensure that people with Down syndrome continue to have access to affordable, quality health insurance.

Thank you for your advocacy and support!

Want to reach out to your U.S. Representatives to voice your concerns? Here’s a script to follow if you do contact them: 

“Hi.  My name is _________ and I live in [Hometown, State].  I’m a constituent and Global Down Syndrome Foundation advocate.  My mailing address and/or email address is _______________ so that you can send me a response to my call.

I understand that the House of Representatives is considering legislation that would make changes to the patient protections in the Affordable Care Act.

I am particularly concerned about a provision in the legislation that would allow health insurers to charge much higher premiums to Americans with pre-existing conditions.

Some health insurance plans consider Down syndrome to be a pre-existing condition.  Additionally individuals with Down syndrome have a much greater chance of having other pre-existing conditions like cancer, heart disease, and diabetes.

I am also deeply concerned that the bill would eliminate the “essential health benefits” requirement meaning health plans could discontinue coverage for many crucial medical services.

Please tell the Representative about these concerns and ask that they refrain from passing health reform legislation that eliminates these important patient protections and limits the scope of medical services available to our community.

Thank you.”