WASHINGTON, D.C. – Thirty-three organizations representing millions of people with pre-existing conditions applaud the much-needed patient protections in two Executive Orders issued by President Biden on January 28.

The organizations released the following statement:

“President Biden’s actions this week represent a significant first step towards improving access to high-quality health coverage for people with pre-existing conditions. After facing years of challenges and increased barriers to care, the patients we serve welcome these measures announced yesterday to secure the health of our country during a time of great need.

We applaud the Administration’s decision to open a special enrollment period so that millions of patients and consumers, who have been hard hit by the dual impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic and the economic downturn, can enroll in high-quality health insurance coverage.   

These executive orders also make strides in unwinding the policies that have blocked some patients’ access to the Medicaid program, including work requirements. Medicaid has been a coverage lifeline for low-income Americans for decades but has recently been subject to policies that restrict access and undermine coverage. We’ve long opposed those restrictions, but they are particularly misguided during the pandemic.

Today’s announcements represent the first of what we hope are many improvements aimed at better serving the millions of people with pre-existing conditions. Together, we look forward to continuing this work with the Administration and Congress to ensure all patients have access to affordable and adequate insurance coverage.”

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Alpha-1 Foundation
ALS Association
American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network
American Diabetes Association
American Heart Association
American Kidney Fund
American Liver Foundation
American Lung Association
Arthritis Foundation
Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America
Cancer Support Community
Chronic Disease Coalition
Cystic Fibrosis Foundation
Epilepsy Foundation
Family Voices
Hemophilia Federation of America
March of Dimes
Mended Hearts & Mended Little Hearts
Muscular Dystrophy Association
National Alliance on Mental Illness
National Health Council
National Hemophilia Foundation
National Kidney Foundation
National Multiple Sclerosis Society
National Organization for Rare Disorders
National Patient Advocate Foundation
National Psoriasis Foundation
Pulmonary Hypertension Association
Susan G. Komen
The AIDS Institute
The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society
United Way Worldwide
WomenHeart:The National Coalition for Women with Heart Disease