The Connecticut General Assembly's House of Representatives unanimously voted Wednesday to support House Bill 5521, An Act Expanding Required Health Insurance Coverage for Preexisting Conditions, according to a news release.

“As Washington lawmakers and the Trump administration continue their assault on the Affordable Care Act, it is refreshing that my colleagues today stepped up to protect our healthcare coverage,” state Rep. Christine Conley, D-Groton, who was instrumental in drafting the language and introducing the legislation, said in a statement. “This legislation is in addition to the protections we previously approved to ensure eligibility for preexisting conditions continues if a person changes insurance policies. We’ve come a long way since ACA became the law of the land and cannot afford to turn back the clock without risking a person’s ability to receive life-saving treatment.”

The legislation was supported by the Connecticut State Medical Society and Connecticut Office of Healthcare Advocate, according to the release. The bill now moves to the Senate.

State Rep. Kate Rotella, D-Stonington, also a sponsor of the bill, applauded the passage of the bill "that would strengthen protections for insurance coverage of preexisting conditions in short-term health insurance policies, so that if the Affordable Care Act were to be repealed, Connecticut residents would retain coverage," a news release stated.

"Anyone dealing with healthcare issues can't afford treatment lapses or not having full access to health care plan options," Rotella said in a statement. "I am pleased the legislature took a proactive approach to protecting our citizens, as the uncertain future of the Affordable Care Act looms. This is a way of bringing peace of mind to so many vulnerable individuals with all types of pre-existing conditions across the state."