Trump Official Refuses to Answer Questions on 'Junk Health Plans'

CMS has promoted and expanded the availability of Short-term limited duration insurance plans that are not required to comply with the comprehensive consumer protections of the Affordable Care Act. These junk plans undermine protections for people with pre-existing conditions, increased cost and leave American families with less financial protection and more exposure to fraud. Isn't it true that these plans are allowed to exclude coverage for pre-existing conditions? Short-term limited duration? Yes or no pride, or no, it depends on the plan. Yes or no, it's a. On the plan, isn't it true that these plans are allowed to exclude coverage are allowed to exclude coverage? Yes or no Short-term limited duration plans have more flexibility than yesterday. No, I I have five minutes I wanna get it depends on the plan. There are different types of short-term limited duration asking if these plans are allowed to exclude coverage, that's a yes or no situation. Plants have the flexibility around benefits. so it's a yang, but it depends on how that plan is structured. They are allowed to exclude coverage. The plans will do that. it's a part they allowed to and what we have, what we have to be sure that there are the appropriate protections in place for consumers, so they understand the type of coverage clock. I'm asking if they're allowed to exclude coverage for pre-existing conditions, they have flexibility around benefits. So that's I believe that's a yes answer. Administrator Verma isn't it true? Also that people on these plans can be charged higher premiums without limit based on their health status, gender, age and other factors. The CBO said that the Short-term limited duration plans could be 60 percent lower than the Affordable Care Act. Yes or no, can they be charged higher premiums without limit based on their health status gender? They have the flexibility. they do not have the flexibility. so that's a yes Obamacare plans. That's why they're the prices I don't wanna use up anymore time. In addition to excluding coverage of pre-existing conditions or charging people more based on their health status, I'm concerned about the failure of these plans to cover basic health. Services Administrator Verma Isn't it true that junk plans can refuse to cover essential health benefits like hospitalization, maternity care, prescription drugs, mental health care and preventative care? Yes, or no, you know, I was talking to a family the other day. Well, yes or no insurance. They lost. Yes or no, it's my time. Is it true that these can refuse these plants can refuse to cover? There's a variety of different plans that are offered under Short-term limited duration. You're not from the question it depends on the plan, but can again. the question is, can they refuse to cover essential health benefits? They as I mentioned Lexi Bility on benefits, so that's a yes they have flexibility. even if some of these plants might cover some essential health benefits. I'm concerned that what might happen should people get sick while they have a junk plan. Administrator Verma. Is it true that these plans can impose lifetime and annual? Coverage and are not subject to cost sharing limits if there, if there are more affordable options available under Obamacare people people wouldn't have to would wouldn't have to make compromises. But unfortunately I was gone up. a bus driver asking for a yes or no, isn't it true that these plans can impose lifetime and annual limits on coverage? Yes, they can. Okay. Thank you for the yes. Yes or no, you know I was talking to a family. the other. Well, yes or no.