Though Gov. Rick Scott has claimed he does “not agree with efforts to remove pre-existing conditions” and thinks it is “important to cover individuals with pre-existing conditions,” he has turned his back on Floridians at every opportunity to do so.]
- Gov. Scott has refused to oppose a lawsuit designed to end protections for people with pre-existing conditions. This summer, the Trump Administration refused to defend against a lawsuit brought by twenty conservative states aimed at overturning the Affordable Care Act and its protections for people with pre-existing conditions. Gov. Scott has refused to come out against the lawsuit or to call on Attorney General Pam Bondi to withdraw from the suit.
- Gov. Scott refuses to take action at the state level to protect against the Trump administration’s junk plan rule that lets insurance companies discriminate against people with pre-existing conditions. In August, the Trump Administration finalized a rule that allows insurance companies to deny coverage to people with pre-existing conditions. Experts warn that this move will only increase the cost of comprehensive care, ultimately making it even harder for people with pre-existing conditions to get the care they need. Several states, including Maryland, Vermont, Hawaii, Illinois, Washington, California, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, and Oregon have proposed or finalized rules that protect consumers against junk plans. Gov. Scott refuses to make similar protections.
- He has also refused to come out against Trump’s nominee to the Supreme Court, Brett Kavanaugh. As cases to overturn the Affordable Care Act make their way through the courts, Gov. Scott still has not come out against Brett Kavanaugh, President Trump’s nominee to the court. Instead, he has voiced support for Trump’s nominee who could decide cases that would strip protections from people with pre-existing conditions. Kavanaugh has previously criticized Chief Justice Roberts’ decision to uphold the Affordable Care Act.
BONUS: He also helped design Republican repeal efforts that would jeopardize protections for 7.8 million Floridians. Gov. Scott was an advisor to the Trump Administration on plans to repeal the Affordable Care Act, and continued to push for its repeal even after it failed in the Senate. A full repeal of the ACA would eliminate protections that prevent insurance companies from denying coverage or charging more if someone has a pre-existing condition.