Congresswoman Lauren Underwood's Legislation Ensures Veterans Don't Pay Copays for Coronavirus Preventive Services

Strategic Insights -

Congresswoman Lauren Underwood's (IL-14) legislation has passed the House of Representatives, ensuring that veterans do not have to pay copays for coronavirus preventive services. The bipartisan measure aims to reduce COVID-19-related health care costs for veterans by waiving out-of-pocket costs for preventive services, including an eventual vaccine. This legislation is a crucial step towards providing affordable health care to our nation's veterans, who have sacrificed so much to protect our country. The measure is co-led by Senators Tammy Duckworth, Susan Collins, Jon Tester, and Representatives Julia Brownley, Lee Zeldin, and Brian Fitzpatrick.

Key Takeaways:

  • The No Coronavirus Copays for Veterans Act ensures that veterans receiving health care from the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) are not liable for out-of-pocket costs for preventive services related to the novel coronavirus, including an eventual vaccine.
  • The legislation was passed as part of the Heroes Act on May 15 and is a crucial step towards reducing COVID-19-related health care costs for veterans.
  • The Heroes Act builds upon previously passed measures to address the public health crisis and provide desperately needed support for families and essential workers.
  • This legislation is the second piece of legislation introduced by Underwood to lower health care costs for veterans and eliminate copays faced by our nation's heroes.
  • The Veterans Preventive Health Coverage Fairness Act (H.R. 3932) would ensure parity by removing copay requirements for preventive services and medications recommended by the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and the Health Resources & Services Administration.
  • The No Coronavirus Copays for Veterans Act corrects a loophole in the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act, which waived copays for qualifying items, services, or immunizations intended to prevent or mitigate coronavirus, but did not extend these protections to veterans receiving VHA care.
  • The legislation is co-led by a bipartisan group of lawmakers, including Senators Tammy Duckworth, Susan Collins, Jon Tester, and Representatives Julia Brownley, Lee Zeldin, and Brian Fitzpatrick.

Statistics:

  • 100% of veterans receiving health care from the VHA will not be liable for out-of-pocket costs for preventive services related to the novel coronavirus, including an eventual vaccine.
  • $0 copays will be waived for eligible veterans, ensuring that they can receive the preventive services they need without financial barriers.
  • The Heroes Act provides desperately needed support for families and essential workers, with resources for coronavirus testing and tracing, key support for frontline workers, and strengthened financial assistance for individuals and small businesses.
  • 2 pieces of legislation have been introduced by Underwood to lower health care costs for veterans and eliminate copays faced by our nation's heroes.

Sources:

  • United States House of Representatives Çô Congresswoman Lauren Underwood (IL-14) Legislation ensures veterans do not have to pay copays for coronavirus preventive services
  • The Heroes Act
  • The Veterans Preventive Health Coverage Fairness Act (H.R. 3932)
  • The No Coronavirus Copays for Veterans Act