Pallone Applauds Biden Administration Action to Crack Down on Junk Short-Term Health Insurance Plans

Energy and Commerce Committee Ranking Member Frank Pallone, Jr. (D-NJ) released the following statement today applauding the Biden Administration’s final rule to crack down on Short-Term, Limited Duration Insurance (STLDI) Plans: 

“I strongly support the Biden Administration’s final rule to crack down on junk short-term health insurance plans, which proliferated after the Trump Administration deregulated them. These junk plans are a bad deal for consumers and oftentimes leave patients—who think they have real coverage and protection—saddled with thousands of dollars in medical debt.

“This proposal is long overdue and would protect millions of Americans from insufficient coverage and return STLDI plans to their original purpose of truly short-term coverage.  

“Thankfully, the Biden Administration is standing up for everyday Americans and these junk health plans will no longer be able to discriminate against Americans with pre-existing conditions and deceive consumers. I commend the Administration for their hard work and look forward to continuing to work together to further expand access to quality, affordable health care.” 

Pallone has long stood up against the predatory and deceptive practices showcased by the junk short-term health insurance industry. In 2020, he led an Energy and Commerce Committee Democratic investigation into the anti-consumer practices of STLDI health plans and the insurance brokers who sell and sign people up for junk plans. 

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