U. S. New Health Law: How Will People Who Are Already Sick Be Treated?

The Affordable Care Act (ACA) made it unlawful for insurers to deny or charge people more money in case of a history of illness. An estimated 52 million adults in the U. S. have such conditions — ranging from serious infirmities like HIV and diabetes to minor sicknesses like seasonal allergies or acne. Before this Act, people with such conditions were often denied insurance. If they were advised insurance, it could cost more or don't include coverage for their condition.

Republicans sue they want to resume to let patients with preexisting conditions maintain their coverage in any replacement for the health law, and the current draft of the American Health Care Act retains that provision.

“We are protecting those patients living with preexisting conditions,” Greg Walden, House Energy and Commerce Committee Chairman, said at the start of his committee’s consideration of the bill March 8.