McNerney Votes With Republicans on Upton’s Health Insurance Bill

On Friday, the United State House of Representatives approved legislation sponsored by Rep. Fred Upton (R-MI) that would allow insurers to continue to offer their policies on the individual market for up to one year. The vote passed 261-157 with 39 Democrats voting with Republicans, including Democrat Jerry McNerney.

The Upton bill (H.R. 3350) would let people with insurance that doesn’t meet the requirements of the Affordable Care Act through 2014—a one year extension.  Upton’s bill not only lets existing policies continue, but insurers could sell individual policies to new customers. The White House has vowed to veto Upton’s bill if it reaches the President’s desk.

Locally in the Bay Area, here is how some of our representatives voted:

• John Garamendi (D) – Yes
• Mike Thompson (D) – No
• Ami Bera (D) – Yes
• Jerry McNerney (D) – Yes
• George Miller (D) – Not Voting
• Eric Swalwell (D) – Yes

Here is a look at the Bill which was just two-pages.

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

This Act may be cited as the `Keep Your Health Plan Act of 2013′.

SEC. 2. IF YOU LIKE YOUR HEALTH CARE PLAN, YOU CAN KEEP IT.

(a) In General- Notwithstanding any provision of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (including any amendment made by such Act or by the Health Care and Education Reconciliation Act of 2010), a health insurance issuer that has in effect health insurance coverage in the individual market as of January 1, 2013, may continue after such date to offer such coverage for sale during 2014 in such market outside of an Exchange established under section 1311 or 1321 of such Act (42 U.S.C. 18031, 18041).

(b) Treatment as Grandfathered Health Plan in Satisfaction of Minimum Essential Coverage- Health insurance coverage described in subsection (a) shall be treated as a grandfathered health plan for purposes of the amendment made by section 1501(b) of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act.

http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/query/z?c113:H.R.3350:]