As public health officials work to respond to the emerging coronavirus, the House Republican-backed lawsuit to overturn the Affordable Care Act could potentially devastate our response to the virus.
This week, Vice President Mike Pence announced that coronavirus testing will be covered by insurance BECAUSE of the ACA’s Essential Health Benefits.
CNBC:
“HHS has already denominated a test for the coronavirus to be an essential health benefit, which ensures that it will be covered by people’s private health insurance. It will be covered by Medicare and Medicaid,” Pence said at a news briefing alongside diagnostic laboratory executives.…
Essential health benefits were established under the Affordable Care Act, according to the American Physical Therapy Association, which is a hallmark piece of legislation passed under the Obama administration. Under the ACA, health insurance plans must cover essential health benefits.
Last year, House Republicans voted against defending the ACA from a lawsuit that would ELIMINATE those same Essential Health Benefits.
New York Times:
The ruling, if it stands, would not only do away with coverage protections for people with pre-existing health conditions but also strike down the guarantee of coverage for what the law deems “essential health benefits.” These include emergency services, maternity and newborn care, mental health and substance abuse treatment, prescription drugs and pediatric care.
Statement From DCCC Spokesperson Robyn Patterson:
“We’re in the midst of a public health crisis and Washington Republicans are still working to eliminate the Affordable Care Act which guarantees coverage of essential health benefits for millions of Americans. Republicans are doing the bidding of their special interest donors during a global pandemic – and the American people could pay the price.”