WASHINGTON, D.C. – Matt Eyles, president and CEO of America’s Health Insurance Plans (AHIP), issued this statement as Congress considered a $2 trillion coronavirus relief package for Americans:
The American people are counting on us – leaders of industry and the health care system and leaders of government – to come together to solve this crisis. We are all working tirelessly to meet the needs of people with COVID-19 and the communities in which we all live and work.
With the sweeping stimulus aid package released today, Congress and the Administration are supporting our hospitals, doctors, nurses, public health heroes, front line health care workers and others with significant financial and logistical support. They are supporting businesses with supplemental revenue to help their employees and cover critical expenses. They are supporting American families with direct financial assistance that can be used immediately. These are all essential actions that needed to be taken, and we support them 100 percent.
Now more than ever, we must ensure that people are able to access the care they need by assuring that their current coverage is – and remains – strong and stable. We are committed to collaborating with policymakers to take action on the solutions necessary to achieve this goal, and we call on Congress to swiftly take additional action to secure and stabilize coverage for families, businesses, and workers. Supporting the businesses who cover their employees will help not only with continuity of coverage, but also with continuity of their operations, staff, and personnel. Helping individuals afford their coverage and premiums will allow them to get the care they need when they need it.
We will continue to work with policymakers on effective solutions that strengthen coverage and help the American people get through this crisis.”