There’s no greater sign that Jason Lewis has gone to Washington and lost touch with Minnesotans than his blatant disregard for the truth when it comes to his healthcare record – and the impact of healthcare costs on their everyday lives. For the THIRD time, Lewis has claimed his vote for the AHCA didn’t change protections for those with pre-existing conditions:
Lewis Claim #3: “The bill didn’t change preexisting conditions,” he said. “You still had to cover preexisting conditions. That’s a canard. A total canard!” […] Lewis even disputed Craig and other Democrats’ contention that health care is a top issue for voters. [MPR, 7.17.18]
Lewis Claim #2: “No, I would not ‘gut’ protections for pre-existing conditions.” [Star Tribune, 7.13.18]
Lewis Claim #1: “The American Health Care Act, which we tried to pass, kept pre-existing conditions covered.” [Jason Lewis Town Hall, 5/19/18 (13:48)]
“Whether he’s willing to admit it or not, Jason Lewis took a toxic vote to allow insurance companies to gut protections for those with pre-existing conditions like asthma, cancer and diabetes. Lewis is in for a rude awakening if he thinks healthcare isn’t top of mind for Minnesota voters who will hold him accountable for his record this November,” – DCCC spokesperson Rachel Irwin.
FACT CHECK ON JASON LEWIS:
In 2017, Lewis voted for the AHCA, which the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office and Politifact confirmed would weaken protections for those with pre-existing conditions, including making health insurance unaffordable for older Americans and jack up premiums. Lewis has also failed to stand up to Trump’s Administration’s ongoing efforts to dismantle pre-existing conditions protections.
Washington Post: CBO Found That People With Pre-Existing Condition Would Be Far From “Protected” By AHCA. “The CBO found that while insurers could not deny coverage to sick Americans, they would be far from being ‘protected.’ In states that choose to waive certain insurance coverage mandates as allowed under the GOP bill, the report stated, ‘people who are less healthy (including those with preexisting or newly acquired medical conditions) would ultimately be unable to purchase comprehensive nongroup health insurance at premiums comparable to those under current law, if they could purchase it at all.’ […] The analysis undermines not only the claims made by GOP leaders, but also shows that their bill could, by undoing what is perhaps the Affordable Care Act’s single most popular provision, throw consumers back into insurance markets where their ability to purchase affordable insurance would depend on their health.” [Washington Post, 5/26/17]