PHOENIX – Arizona senior Senator Kyrsten Sinema urged Congressional leaders to protect health care coverage for Arizonans who lose their jobs, their employer-sponsored health care coverage, or can no longer afford insurance due to the coronavirus outbreak.
“Ensuring every Arizonan has access to critical care during this public health crisis will save lives,” said Sinema.
In her letter, Sinema and a group of her Senate colleagues urged Congressional leaders to ensure the next coronavirus relief package strengthens key health programs to ensure no Arizonan is denied access to care due to losing their insurance and/or their employment during the coronavirus outbreak. The letter asks Congressional leaders to:
- Strengthen safety net programs such as the Arizona Health Care Cost Containment System (AHCCCS)
- Create a special enrollment period for the Affordable Care Act Marketplace and enhance premium assistance
- Provide assistance to individuals who lose their employer-sponsored insurance
Arizona’s maximum weekly unemployment insurance benefit is the second lowest in the nation. Even with the additional $600 boost a week that lasts until July 31st, many families who lose their job and employed-sponsored coverage will have a hard time affording health insurance. Even if Arizonans qualify for ACA premium assistance, many families will likely remain uninsured due to their financial instability.
Sinema’s highest priority is keeping Arizonans healthy, safe, and economically secure. Throughout the coronavirus outbreak, Sinema has worked across the aisle and with local communities to ensure Arizonans have up-to-date, accurate information.
Sinema helped secure a number of priorities in the sweeping coronavirus-response CARES Act law, including a $150 billion relief fund for state, local, and Tribal governments, $55 billion more in investments in hospitals and health care workers, and an increase in unemployment benefits. Sinema recently wrote a column in the Arizona Republic stressing what else must be included in the next Congressional coronavirus-relief bill.
Sinema has also added a resources page to her website, www.sinema.senate.gov/corona, for Arizonans looking for the latest information on coronavirus.
Click HERE for the letter’s full text.