WASHINGTON (AP) - The top Democrat on the Senate health committee says insurance companies who refuse coverage to people with pre-existing medical conditions are engaging in discrimination.

Sen. Tom Harkin of Iowa told participants at the White House's health summit that such refusals are akin to forms of racial discrimination that were legal during parts of the last century. Harkin says it's time to end discrimination based on health in this century.

Democrats are pushing a health-care overhaul that would make it illegal for insurance companies to refuse coverage to people who have conditions such as asthma or diabetes.

Harkin says if health companies cover everyone regardless of health conditions, costs will go down.