Governor Walker Joins Bipartisan Group Supporting Coverage for People with Pre-existing Conditions

Statement

Today, Governor Bill Walker joined a bipartisan group of governors to issue the following statement on proposed changes in healthcare policy for those with pre-existing conditions:

"Everyone in this country deserves access to affordable, quality health insurance. The Administration's disappointing decision to no longer defend this provision of federal law threatens health care coverage for many in our states with pre-existing conditions and adds uncertainty and higher costs for Americans who purchase their own health insurance.

"Helping our neighbors get health insurance even though they have a pre-existing condition is something Americans support and the Administration's action will hurt families in our states. This is not right. We're asking the Administration to reverse their decision and instead work with Congress and Governors on bipartisan solutions to protect coverage and lower health care costs for all Americans, all while protecting those with preexisting conditions."

John Hickenlooper, Governor of Colorado, and John Kasich, Governor of Ohio, also signed the statement. Hickenlooper, Kasich, and Walker in February unveiled their framework to help guide future discussions on improving the nation's healthcare system. Below is the full list of governors who joined the statement.

Bill Walker, Governor of Alaska (I) John R. Kasich, Governor of Ohio (R)

John W. Hickenlooper, Governor of Colorado (D)

Tom Wolf, Governor of Pennsylvania (D) Brian Sandoval, Governor of Nevada (R)

Roy Cooper, Governor of North Carolina (D)

Steve Bullock, Governor of Montana (D) Jay Inslee, Governor of Washington (D)

Larry Hogan, Governor of Maryland (R)