Pascrell-led Bill Will Require Insurance Companies to Cover COVID-19 Treatment Costs

Legislation would build on Pascrell’s efforts to provide immediate financial relief to Americans during crisis

PATERSON, NJ – Today, U.S. Reps. Bill Pascrell, Jr. (D-NJ-09), Lisa Blunt Rochester (D-DE), and Lori Trahan (D-MA-03) introduced the Coverage for COVID-19 Treatment Act of 2020. This legislation will require private insurers to cover treatment for COVID-19 with no-cost sharing for patients.

“This pandemic is placing unbearable burdens on the backs of our neighbors and their families. With many unsure how they’ll make rent, pay their bills, and even put groceries on the table, paying for expensive and lifesaving treatment if they get sick shouldn’t be another worry Americans carry,” said Rep. Pascrell, a member of the House Ways and Means Committee. “This legislation will remove that worry by requiring group health insurers to cover COVID-19 treatment with no cost-sharing burdens. It will not alleviate all of the burdens our nation is bravely shouldering, but will give millions enormous flexibility to weather this crisis without fear of catastrophic hardship.”

“During our nation’s on-going public health emergency, no family should have to worry about whether they can afford to get medical treatment for the coronavirus if they or a loved one gets sick,” said Rep. Blunt Rochester, a member of the Energy & Commerce Health Subcommittee. “I’m proud to join my colleague, Rep. Lori Trahan, in introducing legislation that would eliminate cost barriers for patients seeking treatment. This is an opportunity to protect patients from unaffordable medical bills at a time when many of the nation’s families are experiencing financial hardship.”

“This pandemic has placed our workers and small business owners under incredible stress. At a time when they are doing their part, often at tremendous financial cost, to slow the spread of COVID-19, they should not be forced to choose between paying their medical bills and keeping a roof over their heads,” Rep. Trahan said. “This important legislation will give patients the peace of mind that if they need treatment for coronavirus, their hospital visit will be covered. I’m grateful to Congresswoman Blunt Rochester for her work on this bill, and I look forward to advancing it in the House.”

The COVID-19 Treatment Act of 2020 would:

• Require group health plans or health insurers offering group or individual health plans to cover treatment for the coronavirus with no-cost sharing requirements during a public health emergency.
  • This includes medically necessary services to treat or mitigate the effects a patient may be experiencing due to the coronavirus.
• Provides federal funding to reimburse insurers for what the patient’s cost-share would have been.

The full text of the bill can be found here.