Cárdenas, Sánchez Introduce Bill to Expand Medicaid Coverage of COVID-19 Testing and Treatment to Uninsured
WASHINGTON, DC – Today, Representatives Tony Cárdenas (CA-29) and Linda Sánchez (CA-38) introduced the Stronger Medicaid Response to the COVID–19 Pandemic Act. This legislation clarifies that the scope of emergency services available for individuals who don’t meet Medicaid’s citizenship requirements includes vital services like testing, treatment, and immunizations for COVID-19.
“Providing access to healthcare during this national health emergency is not only the morally right thing to do, it is also good policy,” said Congressman Cárdenas. “The more people who have access to testing and medical care, the greater our chances are of containing the virus and getting America back to work. Our number one priority should be to keep American families safe, and that starts by ensuring anyone who needs medical care gets it."
“We cannot afford to exclude anyone in our fight to end the coronavirus pandemic,” said Congresswoman Sánchez. “Free widespread testing is crucial for containing the virus and saving lives, and the same is true for treatment. No one – no matter their immigration or insurance status – should worry about seeking lifesaving COVID-19 treatment for fear of a costly medical bill. I am proud to introduce legislation with Rep. Cárdenas to ensure that everyone in our county will have access to free COVID-19 treatment.”
Last month, Congressman Cárdenas and Congresswoman Sánchez introduced legislation to provide free coronavirus testing to uninsured Americans, which was included in the $8.3 billion emergency response aid package. Congressman Cárdenas also introduced H.R. 6019, the bipartisan Cure the Coronavirus Act, legislation to encourage the rapid innovation and approval of a treatment to prevent or cure the COVID-19.
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