Harrisburg, PA − January 28, 2025 − Senator Vincent Hughes was joined by Democratic colleagues from the Senate and House to announce four bills that would protect the Affordable Care Act (ACA) from attacks in Washington DC. The package of bills would keep healthcare accessible and affordable for all Pennsylvanians and protect against any ACA rollbacks that could come at the federal level.
Specifically, the bills seek to:
- Senate Bill 50: Enshrine in state law a prohibition on health insurance companies using an individual’s pre-existing medical condition to deny or exclude coverage
- Senate Bill 51: Codify the federal essential health benefits (EHB) into state law
- Senate Bill 52: Prohibit health insurance policies within Pennsylvania from imposing either an annual or lifetime limit on coverage
- Senate Bill 53: Allow a young adult in Pennsylvania to stay on his or her parents’ health insurance plan until the age of 26
“We are here to say very simply that the healthcare of Pennsylvanians matters,” said Senator Vincent Hughes, Democratic Appropriations Chair. “If these lawmakers in Washington DC want to take away very basic provisions that we fought so hard for, state lawmakers will make sure they are secured in the Commonwealth. We have an opportunity in Pennsylvania to not only protect but advance healthcare for people who live here. We will not fold.”
On his first day in office, President Trump rescinded President Biden’s 2021 executive order 14009, which expanded open enrollment periods for ACA plans, and the 2022 executive order 14070, which aimed to lower ACA premiums, two moves that reduce access to affordable healthcare for millions of Americans.
Senator Steve Santarsiero, prime sponsor of Senate Bill 53, explained, “It was fifteen years ago that the Unites State Congress passed, and then President Obama signed what became the Affordable Care Act. We understand what is at stake should lawmakers in DC decide to strip away those hard fought protections. We cannot let that happen.”
Senator Hughes added, “It is up to the states right now to protect the people they represent. We can push back on the cuts that are likely to come from Washington.”
Other speakers at the press conference included Senators Maria Collett, Tim Kearney, and Patty Kim; Representatives Mike Schlossberg and Perry Warren; and President of SEIU Healthcare, Matthew Yarnell.
A full video of the press conference is available online.