A Global Down Syndrome Foundation Call to Action: We must join together to protect accessible and affordable health insurance for Americans with Down syndrome

Quincy Jones Exceptional Advocacy Award winners Congressman Pete Sessions (R-TX) (left) and Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-MD) (right) are both working to ensure that people with Down syndrome continue to have access to affordable, quality health insurance.

Presently, Congress is debating the fate of the Affordable Care Act (ACA) otherwise known as Obamacare. There are several provisions in the ACA that are supported by both parties.  This includes protections against discrimination based on a pre-existing health conditions.  Given that Down syndrome is considered a pre-existing condition, the importance of this issue cannot be overemphasized and we urge Congress to seek common ground.

There are two Global supporters on opposite sides of the aisle who have written eloquently on this subject.  Congressman Pete Sessions (R-TX), a father of a young man with Down syndrome, is planning to reintroduce legislation proposing a thoughtful replacement option that safeguards individuals with pre-existing conditions and allows young adults to remain on their parents’ health insurance policy up to age 26. Another long-time Global supporter, Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), is opposed to repeal and wants to maintain such safeguards and improve upon the existing ACA plan.  

Republicans and Democrats have very different approaches to ACA reform. The Global Down Syndrome Foundation is looking forward to working with both parties, and our Down syndrome and differently-abled communities, to ensure that people with Down syndrome continue to have access to affordable, quality health insurance.