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The AHA today voiced support for the Ensuring Coverage in Public Health Emergencies Act (H.R. 526), legislation that would automatically trigger a special enrollment period so consumers can apply for Marketplace or employer-sponsored coverage during a public health emergency.

“Health care coverage is critical to ensuring patients’ access to care, which supports their own individual health and helps prevent the further spread of COVID-19 or another virus during a future public health emergency,” AHA said in a letter to Reps. Lloyd Doggett, D-Texas, and Brian Fitzpatrick, R-Pa., the bill’s sponsors. “The economic stress of a public health emergency can cost millions of jobs and therefore increase the number of individuals and families without coverage. This legislation will help more Americans get and stay covered by guaranteeing access to an open enrollment period during future public health emergencies.”