Roskam Calls Concerns About Protecting Those with Pre-Existing Conditions a “Straw Man”

(Downers Grove) July 16, 2018 – Rep. Peter Roskam voted in committee Thursday last week against protections for individuals with pre-existing conditions, calling concerns about those individuals “a straw man.” Sixth District Congressional candidate Sean Casten released the following response:

“Peter Roskam wants to dismiss the fear of losing health coverage for those with asthma, diabetes, and other debilitating diseases,’” Casten said.  “But those fears – and the families who share them – are very real.”

“Peter Roskam voted 60 times against the Affordable Care Act which finally gave families with pre-existing conditions the healthcare coverage they need. Now, Peter is dismissing concerns about losing coverage for pre-existing conditions as being false – like a ‘straw man.’ His insensitivity to those families is breathtaking to behold.”

Peter Roskam’s comments came on Thursday during the House Ways and Means Committee consideration of a bill to expand Health Savings Accounts (HSAs) by $92 billion, even though such tax shelters are used by only five percent of families with less than $100,000 in annual income.

An amendment was offered to ensure that insurance plans purchased through HSAs could not exclude coverage of those with pre-existing conditions. In debate, Roskam labeled such concerns a “straw man.”  Roskam subsequently voted against the amendment, which failed 15-23. 

Peter Roskam’s statement contradicts previous claims of the importance of protecting coverage of those with pre-existing conditions, including a recent claim in a radio debate with Sean Casten on WBBM.