With the burgeoning nationwide spread of COVID-19, the Department of Health and Human Services must use all the tools at its disposal to combat the growing crisis. Consumers without insurance face cost barriers that delay their receipt of necessary care until illness worsens. During the current pandemic, this delays detection and treatment of COVID-19, accelerating the disease’s spread.
It is thus no surprise that many states that operate their own exchanges, including Connecticut, the District of Columbia, Maryland, Massachusetts, New York, Rhode Island, and Washington, have already created emergency SEPs. We urge the Department to give Americans who live in the 38 states served by the HealthCare.Gov platform similar access to coverage and care.
Young Invincibles joins over 200 organizations in calling for the creation of an Emergency, 90-Day Special Enrollment Period, in both HealthCare.Gov and state-based exchanges.