Experts: Protections on pre-existing conditions at risk

WASHINGTON (AP) - Senior congressional Republicans are trying to distance themselves from any effort by the Trump administration to undermine popular health care protections for their constituents.

Democrats are accusing Republicans of yet another attempt to "sabotage" coverage by diminishing the Affordable Care Act, and they plan to take the issue into the fall midterm elections.

The Senate Finance Committee's chairman, Utah Republican Orrin Hatch, says no American should be denied health coverage based on their pre-existing medical conditions.

But law and insurance experts say the Trump administration's latest move against "Obamacare" could jeopardize legal protections on pre-existing medical conditions for millions of people with employer coverage.

The Justice Department recently decided it will no longer defend key parts of the Affordable Care Act in court.