GOP health bill passage in House leaves questions about pre-existing conditions

<p>Residents across Westchester and Hudson Valley are wondering what the passage of the Republican health care bill in the House may mean for them if the bill becomes a law &ndash; especially those with pre-existing conditions.</p>

News 12 Staff

May 5, 2017, 11:48 PM

Updated 2,549 days ago

Share:

GOP health bill passage in House leaves questions about pre-existing conditions
Residents across Westchester and Hudson Valley are wondering what the passage of the Republican health care bill in the House may mean for them if the bill becomes a law – especially those with pre-existing conditions. 
The bill's passage was a victory for President Donald Trump toward his promise to repeal and replace President Barack Obama's Affordable Care Act. Inside Mount Sinai Riverside Medical Group in Yonkers, the passage feels more like a failure.
"The legislation that's making its way through Congress will significantly increase the number of uninsured Americans," says Dr. Alon Gitig. 
Gitig, a cardiologist, says his patients should receive the best medical care. He says one of his patients, Diane Joyce, has insurance through "Obamacare" and she's required to wear a pacemaker because of her pre-existing heart condition. Under the American Health Care Act, she isn't guaranteed insurance coverage.
If passed, the bill will change Medicaid, which provides care for low-income Americans. It would also repeal taxes imposed by the Affordable Care Act on the wealthy, insurers and drug companies.
Defenders of "Trumpcare" say it will trim the federal deficit considerably.
News 12 reached out to Republican leaders in Westchester, but they were unable to provide a comment.
Joyce says despite a potential health care repeal, she's hopeful.
"We'll have to give them a shot to see how it works out. I believe in giving everyone a chance," says Joyce. 
Critics of the GOP's health care bill say it would weaken protections for people with pre-existing conditions by placing some of them in a high risk pool where they could pay higher rates. 
According to the Kaiser Family Foundation, 52 million adults under 65 have pre-existing health conditions. Insurers are the ones who determine if a condition is pre-existing. 
Those conditions were used to deny coverage prior to Obamacare, according to experts. 
One of the big ones is diabetes. The CDC says 29 million people in the U.S. have diabetes. Also, the American Cancer Society says as of January 2016, 15 million people in the U.S. have a history of cancer.
The bill now in the hands of the Senate and some lawmakers say the plan needs to drastically change if it wants to become law.
 


More from News 12
1:57
Authorities: Fire destroys home in Spring Valley

Authorities: Fire destroys home in Spring Valley

1:45
Scattered rain overnight in the Hudson Valley; sunny skies Sunday afternoon

Scattered rain overnight in the Hudson Valley; sunny skies Sunday afternoon

0:43
Musica Y Mole Festival: White Plains High School celebrates Mexican culture

Musica Y Mole Festival: White Plains High School celebrates Mexican culture

0:33
Delta plane lands at JFK due to emergency slide falling off

Delta plane lands at JFK due to emergency slide falling off

2:02
'Gains For Brains' girls lacrosse tournament raises awareness, funds for pediatric brain cancer research

'Gains For Brains' girls lacrosse tournament raises awareness, funds for pediatric brain cancer research

0:31
Police seek public’s help locating missing 89-year-old man

Police seek public’s help locating missing 89-year-old man

Mathew Barzal scores in 2nd OT as Islanders beat Hurricanes 3-2 to avoid series sweep

Mathew Barzal scores in 2nd OT as Islanders beat Hurricanes 3-2 to avoid series sweep

2:28
Doctors are seeing an increase in pickleball-related injuries. Here how to avoid them

Doctors are seeing an increase in pickleball-related injuries. Here how to avoid them

1:23
Westchester commuters, residents weigh in on official congestion pricing rollout date

Westchester commuters, residents weigh in on official congestion pricing rollout date

0:20
City of White Plains to impose new speed limit of 25 mph, effective in May

City of White Plains to impose new speed limit of 25 mph, effective in May

0:41
Farm-to-table distillery brings boozy beverages to Goshen

Farm-to-table distillery brings boozy beverages to Goshen

0:22
Westchester County Center to host free prom attire giveaway this weekend

Westchester County Center to host free prom attire giveaway this weekend

0:35
Westchester Craft Beverage Trail takes residents on tour of 2 dozen distilleries

Westchester Craft Beverage Trail takes residents on tour of 2 dozen distilleries

Special teams carry Rangers to a Game 3 win and a 3-0 series lead on the Capitals

Special teams carry Rangers to a Game 3 win and a 3-0 series lead on the Capitals

1:53
Shop Mother’s Day Gifts – Exclusive Offers Up to 75% OFF!

Shop Mother’s Day Gifts – Exclusive Offers Up to 75% OFF!

0:52
Mother and daughter from Mount Vernon sentenced in pandemic-relief fraud scheme

Mother and daughter from Mount Vernon sentenced in pandemic-relief fraud scheme

0:32
Carmel police: Yorktown shoplifting suspects arrested

Carmel police: Yorktown shoplifting suspects arrested

0:52
'Kindness in a cup.' Sleepy Coffee, Too celebrates grand opening in Sleepy Hollow

'Kindness in a cup.' Sleepy Coffee, Too celebrates grand opening in Sleepy Hollow

1:53
Officials call for no-show Orange County legislator to step down after missing meetings for two years

Officials call for no-show Orange County legislator to step down after missing meetings for two years

0:34
Yonkers police: Man wanted for failing to appear in court for car break-in charges

Yonkers police: Man wanted for failing to appear in court for car break-in charges