"That's a Certainty!" Governor's Support For Protecting Arizonans With Pre-Existing Conditions Disappears With Bill Signing

"Health insurance companies should cover people with pre-existing conditions. That's a certainty!"

That was Arizona Governor Doug Ducey's no-mincing-words statement in the weeks leading up to his re-election last fall.

Yesterday, the Governor signed into law SB1109, erasing the pre-election certainty. Now, short term health insurance policies will be offered to some Arizonans which contain this warning:

NOTICE

THIS COVERAGE IS NOT REQUIRED TO COMPLY WITH CERTAIN FEDERAL

MARKET REQUIREMENTS FOR HEALTH INSURANCE, PRINCIPALLY THOSE

CONTAINED IN THE AFFORDABLE CARE ACT. BE SURE TO CHECK YOUR

POLICY CAREFULLY TO MAKE SURE YOU ARE AWARE OF ANY EXCLUSIONS

OR LIMITATIONS REGARDING COVERAGE OF PREEXISTING CONDITIONS OR 

HEALTH BENEFITS (SUCH AS HOSPITALIZATION, EMERGENCY SERVICES,

MATERNITY CARE, PREVENTIVE CARE, PRESCRIPTION DRUGS AND MENTAL

HEALTH AND SUBSTANCE USE DISORDER SERVICES). YOUR POLICY

MIGHT ALSO HAVE LIFETIME OR ANNUAL DOLLAR LIMITS ON HEALTH

BENEFITS, OR BOTH. IF THIS COVERAGE EXPIRES OR YOU LOSE

ELIGIBILITY FOR THIS COVERAGE, YOU MIGHT HAVE TO WAIT UNTIL AN

OPEN ENROLLMENT PERIOD TO GET OTHER HEALTH INSURANCE COVERAGE. 

That measure passed the Senate, 18-12 and passed the House last week, 31-28.

Steve Farley, who ran unsuccessfully for Governor last year, stated today that it is "unbelievable" that this measure (below) became law. "This is not acceptable, and is a direct result of Trump's unilateral action hurting our healthcare. These plans are simply junk insurance that takes advantage of those who need coverage the most."

The Governor's office has not made any statements relating to signing the bill on either its website or social media. Arizona's Politics has asked for a response and will update this article as necessary.

If you would like to show your appreciation for Arizona's Politics reporting, please consider donating to our pool to support OTHER journalism-related nonprofits.  

We welcome your comments about this post. Or, if you have something unrelated on your mind, please e-mail to info-at-arizonaspolitics-dot-com or call 602-799-7025. Thanks.