AHA, U.S. Chamber and AHIP ask Congress to protect health coverage

A coalition of more than 30 groups led by the AHA, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and America’s Health Insurance Plans today urged Congress to take swift action to protect Americans’ health care coverage in its response to the COVID-19 crisis.

Requested legislative actions include: providing employers with temporary subsidies to preserve current health benefits; covering the cost of coverage through the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act; expanding the use of Health Savings Accounts; opening a Special Enrollment Period for health insurance marketplaces; and increasing eligibility and federal financial assistance subsidies to buy coverage in the health insurance marketplaces.

“To beat this virus, we can have no weak links,” AHA President and CEO Rick Pollack said. “That means no barriers to testing and treatment. Coverage helps ensure that individuals and families have a regular care provider who they can turn to for screening and preventive services. It also means that the health care system has a way to connect with them to share important public health information. And, coverage ensures that the health care system has the information and financial resources it needs to care for everyone.”