Democratic Party

In March of 2010, the Democratic Congress passed and President Obama signed the Affordable Care Act—the new health law.  The law creates a new program – the Pre-Existing Condition Insurance Plan – to make health coverage available to you if you have been denied health insurance by private insurance companies because of a pre-existing condition.  The plan is meant to cover un-insurable citizens untill another portion of the Affordable Care Act takes effect in 2014, which would make it illegal for private insurance companies to deny coverage or enrollment based on pre-existing conditions.  Denial of children based on pre-existing conditions is already illegal under the Affordable Care Act.

On July 1, eligible residents of Oregon will be able to apply for coverage through the state’s Pre-Existing Condition Insurance Plan program run by the Oregon Medical Insurance Pool.  Oregon is one of 29 states with a state-run Pre-Existing Condition Insurance Plan, as opposed to a Federal version of the program.

To qualify for coverage:

• You must be a citizen or national of the United States or lawfully present in the United States.
• You must have been uninsured for at least the last six months before you apply.
• You must have had a problem getting insurance due to a pre-existing condition.

The Pre-Existing Condition Insurance Plan will cover a broad range of health benefits, including primary and specialty care, hospital care, and prescription drugs.  All covered benefits are available for you, even if it’s to treat a pre-existing condition.

To request an application for this program, please email your name and mailing address to pcip@hhs.gov or mail this information to the address below: 

Department of Health and Human Services
200 Independence Avenue, SW
Room 741G04
Washington, DC  20201