AHA, AHIP team with U.S. Chamber urging Congress to protect coverage during pandemic

Top hospital, payer, physician and other healthcare industry groups are urging legislators to focus on coverage as they consider the next steps to combat COVID-19.
A joint letter (PDF) backed by 32 organizations including the American Hospital Association, America’s Health Insurance Plans, the American Medical Association and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce pushes for immediate action to assist employers in maintaining coverage and strengthening safety net options as the unemployment rate rises.
The policy suggestions echo requests from the Blue Cross Blue Shield Association—which is also signed on to the letter—to offer subsidies to employers and cover the cost of COBRA benefits for people who’ve lost their jobs.
“We’re asking them to increase options to protect those with coverage and protect the uninsured as Congress considers the next round of legislation,” Rick Pollack, president of AHA, said on a call with reporters Tuesday.