State coverage and health insurance options for the hard to insure

People with health problems are often denied private health insurance or have trouble finding affordable coverage. The Affordable Care Act (ACA), passed in 2010, does not allow insurance companies to deny coverage to children with pre-existing conditions (such as diabetes or cancer) as of September 2010.

Under this Act, every state must have a high risk pool or Pre-Existing Condition Insurance Plan (PCIP) for people who have not had insurance for 6 months or more and have cancer or another pre-existing condition. Whether the state or the US Department of Health and Human Services runs the PCIP program depends on the state. The program name and design may vary, too, depending on which state you live in. (Go to www.healthcare.gov/law/provisions/preexisting/index.html for the most current information on what’s available in your state.)