Dem introduces measure to overturn Trump expansion of non-ObamaCare plans

Sen. Tammy Baldwin (D-Wis.) on Wednesday introduced a measure to overturn a Trump administration rule expanding access to non-ObamaCare insurance plans.

The move is a step in Senate Democrats’ plan to force a vote on the measure as they seek to argue Republicans are attacking protections for people with pre-existing conditions, a key argument Democrats want to make in the midterm election campaign.

Baldwin’s office said she has the support of the 30 senators necessary to force a vote on the measure under the Congressional Review Act.

{mosads}Her office said she plans to force the vote before lawmakers leave town in October. For the measure to pass, at least one GOP senator would have to flip and vote with Democrats, a tough task.

But even a failed vote would allow Democrats to highlight the issue before the election.

Baldwin is facing a competitive reelection race in a state that President Trump won in 2016.

“President Trump’s latest act of sabotage will expand junk insurance plans that could increase costs and reduce access to quality coverage for millions, force premium increases on older Americans, and harm people with pre-existing conditions,” Baldwin said in a statement. “That’s why I am leading this effort in the U.S. Senate to take action and stop this sabotage.”

At issue are rules the Trump administration finalized on Aug. 1 to expand short-term health insurance plans, allowing them to last up to one year instead of three months. The administration argues these plans give people a cheaper option than ObamaCare plans, but Democrats call them “junk” plans because they can deny coverage for pre-existing conditions and do not have to cover a range of benefits.