Statement of Support for H.R. 6514, the Worker Health Coverage Protection Act

The undersigned 29 organizations, representing millions of American patients and consumers with chronic and serious illnesses offer their strong support of H.R. 6514, the Worker Health Coverage Protection Act.

“Last month, several of our organizations sent a letter to Congress encouraging lawmakers to extend high-quality coverage options for individuals who may have lost their employer sponsored health insurance as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. We therefore applaud the introduction of H.R. 6514, which would provide subsidies to furloughed or terminated employees for the full cost of premiums for employer sponsored plans.

As more individuals lose coverage as a result of job loss, it will continue to be critical to retain coverage to adequately combat COVID-19. Patients, particularly those with high-cost conditions, are among the people most likely to have incurred substantial out-of-pocket spending this early in the calendar year. Allowing people to retain their employer sponsored coverage will ensure that patients have continuity of care, are able to continue to see their providers of choice, and afford their medications. Facilitating the extension of employer coverage also relieves such individuals from having to start a new plan, with new cost-sharing amounts and patient out-of-pocket contributions reset to zero.

This legislation would shield both employers and employees from financial stress. We therefore urge the Congress to pass this important legislation as part of the 4th COVID-19 legislative package.”

ALS Association
American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network
American Diabetes Association
American Heart Association
American Kidney Fund
American Lung Association
Arthritis Foundation
Cancer Support Community
Chronic Disease Coalition
Crohn's & Colitis Foundation
Cystic Fibrosis Foundation
Epilepsy Foundation
Hemophilia Federation of America
JDRF
Leukemia & Lymphoma Society
March of Dimes
Muscular Dystrophy Association
National Alliance on Mental Illness
National Coalition for Cancer Survivorship
National Health Council
National Hemophilia Foundation
National Kidney Foundation
National Organization for Rare Disorders
National Patient Advocate Foundation
National Psoriasis Foundation
Pulmonary Hypertension Association
Susan G. Komen
The National Multiple Sclerosis Society
WomenHeart: The National Coalition for Women with Heart Disease