Press Releases

  

(Washington, D.C.) – Congressman Larry Bucshon, M.D. (R-IN) and Congresswoman Jan Schakowsky (D-IL) released the following statements after introducing two pieces of bipartisan legislation, the Ensuring Access to COVID-19 Preventive Care Act of 2020 and the Ensuring Affordable COVID-19 Preventative Care Act of 2020:

“With coronavirus spreading across America, health experts and scientists are working diligently to test patients and find a vaccine. It is important that the potential cost burden of diagnostic tests, and eventual vaccine, do not hinder patients from seeking proper and preventative medical attention. Through an expedited process, we can ensure patients are treated and covered by their insurance without cost-sharing requirements.” – Dr. Bucshon

“We must do everything in our power to contain the coronavirus in the United States and mitigate its impact on the most vulnerable among us. I’m proud to introduce two bipartisan bills with Congressman Bucshon that will eliminate all co-pays or cost sharing for drugs, equipment, services, and immunizations relating to the diagnosis and treatment of COVID-19,” said Congresswoman Schakowsky. “Ultimately, we must guarantee that every person—insured or uninsured—can be tested, treated, and eventually vaccinated for the coronavirus for free. But as a first step, the Congress must act to pass these bills as soon as possible.” 

Background

Ensuring Access to COVID-19 Preventative Care Act of 2020 

• The bill states that the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) must meet and provide a recommendation no later than 15 days after a vaccine is licensed under the Public Health Service Act.  If ACIP provides a positive recommendation, then health plans must cover the vaccine without cost-sharing requirements.
• The bill will ensure that diagnostic tests are available for patients by providing the Health and Human Services Secretary the authority to waive cost-sharing requirements for such test for the duration of the public health emergency or until the United States Preventative Service Task Force (USPSTF) provides a positive coverage recommendation. 

• The Ensuring Affordable COVID-19 Preventative Care Act of 2020 states that health plans would have 15 days to implement coverage decisions by ACIP on vaccines for COVID-19. Likewise, health plans would have 15 days to implement coverage decisions by USPSTF on diagnostics test relating to COVID-19