U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin Calls on Insurance Companies to Put People over Junk Plan Profits Amidst Coronavirus Concerns
Baldwin: “When patients go without needed testing or treatment because of cost concerns, we are all placed at greater risk.”
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin is calling on eight insurance companies that sell junk insurance plans in Wisconsin to make sure people can get the information, testing and care they need related to the coronavirus.
Last month, the Miami Herald reported on a Florida man who could be forced to pay thousands of dollars out-of-pocket after seeking care when he thought he might have contracted coronavirus while travelling in China. While the man ultimately tested negative for the virus, he is covered by a junk insurance plan which refused to cover the bill for his testing. In 2018, President Trump expanded short-term limited duration insurance (STLDI), or junk plans, to be sold for up to three years, with options for automatic re-enrollment. These plans are not required to provide coverage for pre-existing conditions or essential health benefits like Affordable Care Act plans do, and can leave patients on the hook for thousands of dollars in unexpected costs.
Senator Baldwin continued, “During a public health crisis, it is vital that individuals understand their coverage options and seek appropriate medical attention. When patients go without needed testing or treatment because of cost concerns, we are all placed at greater risk. I strongly encourage you to consider taking immediate action to reduce the out-of-pocket costs of testing for and treatment of COVID-19 for individuals covered by one of your STLDI plans in the interest of protecting the nation’s public health.”
Senator Baldwin sent identical letters to all eight insurance companies that sell junk plans in Wisconsin. Baldwin’s letter to one of the eight insurance companies is available here.
An online version of this release is available here.
NOTE: This press release was submitted to Urban Milwaukee and was not written by an Urban Milwaukee writer. It has not been verified for its accuracy or completeness.
More about the Coronavirus Pandemic
- MHD Release: Milwaukee Health Department Launches COVID-19 Wastewater Testing Dashboard - City of Milwaukee Health Department - Jan 23rd, 2024
- Milwaukee County Announces New Policies Related to COVID-19 Pandemic - County Executive David Crowley - May 9th, 2023
- DHS Details End of Emergency COVID-19 Response - Wisconsin Department of Health Services - Apr 26th, 2023
- Milwaukee Health Department Announces Upcoming Changes to COVID-19 Services - City of Milwaukee Health Department - Mar 17th, 2023
- Fitzgerald Applauds Passage of COVID-19 Origin Act - U.S. Rep. Scott Fitzgerald - Mar 10th, 2023
- DHS Expands Free COVID-19 Testing Program - Wisconsin Department of Health Services - Feb 10th, 2023
- MKE County: COVID-19 Hospitalizations Rising - Graham Kilmer - Jan 16th, 2023
- Not Enough Getting Bivalent Booster Shots, State Health Officials Warn - Gaby Vinick - Dec 26th, 2022
- Nearly All Wisconsinites Age 6 Months and Older Now Eligible for Updated COVID-19 Vaccine - Wisconsin Department of Health Services - Dec 15th, 2022
- City of Milwaukee Bi-Weekly COVID-19 Update - City of Milwaukee Health Department - Dec 9th, 2022
Read more about Coronavirus Pandemic here
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