A bill moving in the Wisconsin Senate and Assembly would expand access to short-term, limited-duration insurance plans (STLD). These plans would take us back to the day when cancer patients could be denied access to affordable, comprehensive health coverage.
Short-term health plans allow insurance companies to:
- Deny coverage to people with pre-existing conditions like cancer
- Cap benefits on coverage
- Exclude coverage for benefits like prescription drugs and hospitalization
For cancer survivors and patients, short-term plans mean that the cost of adequate health coverage will likely skyrocket. What's worse, they could be discriminated against because of their cancer diagnosis.
The American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network along with other patient advocacy groups are urging lawmakers to oppose Senate Bill 247/Assembly Bill 212. These bills would expand the availability of short-term, limited duration (STLD) health plans. Collectively, our organizations support maintaining and expanding access to high-quality, comprehensive health care coverage for Wisconsinites living with chronic health conditions. Wisconsinites need access to affordable, adequate health insurance so they can treat and manage their conditions. Unfortunately, STLD plans offer limited coverage and benefits, and are not required to have the same consumer protections as other plans.
- STLD policies do not provide comprehensive coverage
- STLD policies do not provide cost-effective coverage, especially for major illness
- STLD policies discriminate against people with pre-existing conditions
- Renewability does not ensure stability
- STLD policies can impose lifetime and annual coverage limits
- STLD policies can lead to gaps in coverage
- COVID-19 Testing and Cost-Sharing Services Not Required
When things unexpectedly go wrong, Wisconsinites need more protection than what these short-term plans offer.
Read the full memo sent to the members of the Wisconsin legislature.