Wisconsin Mother from Seymour Joins Senator Baldwin at Hearing on Protecting Americans Who Are at Risk of Losing Health Coverage Because of Pre-Existing Conditions

Chelsey Schaumberg came to Washington to advocate for her daughter, Zoe, who was born with a congenital heart defect and now lives with a pre-existing condition.

Chelsey’s testimony at the hearing is available here.

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Chelsey Schaumberg from Seymour, Wisconsin joined U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin and Senate Democrats who hosted a hearing titled, “America Speaks Out: Protecting Care for Americans with Pre-Existing Conditions.” The Senators heard testimony from Chelsey and other Americans who would be hurt by Republican efforts to sabotage our health care system and take health coverage away from them or their loved ones.

“As a mother, I’m pleading with my representatives to fight to keep the pre-existing protections in the Affordable Care Act,” said Chelsey Schaumberg of Seymour, who’s oldest daughter, Zoe, was born with a congenital heart defect. “The people who are protected by this are some of the ones who need health coverage the most. We are counting on Congress to safeguard that right and protect the American Dream for Zoe, and for the thousands of other people like her.”

“As a child, I was branded with the words, ‘pre-existing condition’ so I have also fought to make sure no family has to choose between helping their child get better or going bankrupt,” said Senator Baldwin. “I was so grateful to have Chelsey, Zoe and their family in Washington today to speak out against the relentless partisan attacks on the health care coverage and guaranteed protections that people depend on.”

Video of the full hearing and testimony from the witnesses is available here.

Senator Baldwin is leading the effort in the Senate to overturn the latest health care sabotage by the Trump administration that would expand “junk insurance” plans, which can deny coverage to people with pre-existing conditions and don’t have to cover essential services like prescription drugs, emergency room visits and maternity care.

In addition to Senator Baldwin, Senate Democrats, including Democratic Policy and Communications Committee Chairwoman Debbie Stabenow (D-MI) and Senators Ron Wyden (D-OR), Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) and Chris Murphy (D-CT), attended the hearing.

Photos from the hearing are available for download here.