Congressman Steve Knight, R-CA, introduced a bill Wednesday to protect patients with pre-existing conditions.

“As premiums, drug costs and other health costs continue to rise, it’s clear to me that the status quo is unsustainable and our healthcare system must be reformed,” said Knight.

The “Maintaining Protections for Patients with Pre-Existing Conditions Act” would prohibit coverage denial, risk-rating and exclusions or limitations of coverage to patients based on pre-existing conditions or any other health factor, including health status, medical condition, claims experience, medical history, genetic information and disability, according to Knight.

“A genetic condition, cancer or other unavoidable situation should not bar an individual from receiving health insurance or treatment that they would otherwise have had access to,” said Knight.

Related: Knight Drafts Bill To Keep Undocumented Children With Parents At Border

The act would duplicate statutes for pre-existing conditions protections in federal law by amending the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act so they remain operative in the event the Affordable Care Act is struck down in court, according to the representative.

Currently, 20 states are filing a lawsuit in federal court arguing that the entirety of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act is unconstitutional.

If these suits succeed, there is a risk that patients with pre-existing conditions would be stripped of certain protections offered by the ACA, according to Knight.

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