Email your legislators now and urge them to vote NO on SB 84 and HB 477.

HB 477 by David Faulkner, R-Mountain Brook, and its companion bill SB 84 by Sen. Arthur Orr, R-Decatur, would allow a “nonprofit agricultural organization” to offer unregulated health plans to its members in Alabama. The bills explicitly say these benefits would “not [be] provided through an insurance policy.”

These junk health plans could deny someone coverage based on their previous medical history or charge individuals with preexisting conditions higher premiums. They also would not have to limit annual and lifetime out-of-pocket costs for consumers, which could leave patients with massive medical bills or force them to forgo needed treatment.

The plans offered under SB 84 and HB 477 would not ensure affordable or adequate health coverage for the nearly 200,000 Alabamians in our state’s coverage gap. Lawmakers should focus instead on expanding Medicaid coverage to ensure every Alabamian can get the health care they need to survive and thrive.

Please email your lawmakers today and ask them to vote NO on SB 84 and HB 477.