Fast Facts on “Junk” Insurance Vulnerable Republicans Poised to Defend This Week

Vote is a “litmus test for anyone who claims to support protecting people with preexisting conditions” 

Vulnerable Senate Republicans are poised to defend “junk” insurance in a Senate vote this week. The GOP policy promotes insurance “so skimpy that they offer no meaningful coverage” and is one of several efforts vulnerable incumbents have advanced that undermine quality, affordable coverage. Here are five fast facts on Republicans’ “junk” insurance:

1. “Junk” insurance does not need to cover pre-existing conditions. 
   
2. “Junk” insurance does not need to cover prescription drugs.
   
3. “Junk” insurance does not need to offer maternity benefits. 
   
4. “Junk” insurance applications ask about patients’ health status and “generally refuse” policies to those who are pregnant or have other diagnoses. 
   
5.  “Junk” insurance is opposed by patient groups including the American Cancer Society and American Heart Association. 
   
   Bonus: Senators Cory Gardner, David Perdue, Joni Ernst, Mitch McConnell, Thom Tillis, Lindsey Graham, and John Cornyn voted to expand “junk” plans; and unelected Senator Martha McSally and failed U.S. Senate candidate John James refuse to oppose the policy.

“Senate Republicans never miss an opportunity to do exactly the wrong thing for their constituents on health care, and this vote will be no exception,” said DSCC spokesperson Stewart Boss. “Vulnerable GOP incumbents have already voted to uphold expanding these toxic plans before, and they’ll defend them again tomorrow — threatening to saddle their constituents with higher costs, weakened protections for pre-existing conditions, and ‘junk’ insurance they can’t rely on.”

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