A few weeks ago, the Congress passed and President Clinton signed into law federal guarantees that workers with health insurance cannot be denied coverage when changing or leaving jobs because of a preexisting condition. This is an important first step to improving access to health care for those who play by the rules and pay their premiums.

We owe the same guarantees to our seniors.

We will introduce next week, with companion legislation by Senators John Chafee and Jay Rockefeller, a targeted portability bill for Medigap insurance. This bill would:

Guarantee people on Medicare who have a Medigap plan the ability to purchase the same level of coverage without regard to a preexisting condition when they move out of the service area or if the insurer goes out of business.

Allow seniors and the disabled to try a managed care plan or a Medicare Select policy and return to the same Medigap coverage they had before if they change their mind during the first year and have not exercise this option previously.

Give Medicare beneficiaries enrolled in managed care plans or Medicare Select policies the ability to get similar level Medigap insurance without discrimination if the plan terminates or if they move out of the service area.

Ensure access to a Medigap plan without regard to health status for Medicare beneficiaries with retiree health plans that terminate or substantially reduce benefits.

Assure the disabled the same access to the array of Medigap choices that are available to seniors.

Proposals have been made to do more--just as have been made for health insurance reform. Like Kassebaum-Kennedy, our Medigap portability proposal is a first step to create fairness for people on Medicare who play by the rules to cover the costs Medicare does not. For further information or to be an original cosponsor, please contact Kate Sullivan with Congresswoman Johnson at 5-4476 or Bridgett Taylor with Commerce Committee minority staff at 6-3400.

Very truly yours,

Nancy L. Johnson
Member of Congress

John D. Dingell
Member of Congress

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