Trump Administration Announces Plan to Cover Coronavirus Treatment for Uninsured

The Trump administration promises to take care of uninsured patients affected by COVID-19. 

The Uninsured are Covered 

Health and Human Services Secretary Alex Azar shared some details on the new plan to cover the uninsured patients’ treatment – hospitals and doctors will be submitting their bills directly to the government. The uninsured will not be liable for costs, with the immigration status also being deemed irrelevant, as it’s long been a barrier to care in communities with a large number of foreign-born residents. 

“This says if you don’t have insurance, go get taken care of – we have you covered,” Azar said in an interview. 

The money to cover the uninsured’s treatment costs will be coming from a $100 billion relief package for the health care system, approved by Congress. “Surprise” bills for out-of-network services, however, are a no-go for hospitals and doctors treating insured COVID-19 patients. 

Azar didn’t mention an estimate on how much the plan will cost, although the nonpartisan Kaiser Family Foundation figures anywhere between $14 billion and $48 billion, which fits into the $100 billion allocated by Congress, with another relief bill on the way, which is expected to add another $75 billion to the pot. 

Before the coronavirus pandemic, roughly 28 million were uninsured in the US, although the number is expected to rise as millions are losing their jobs due to the restrictions aimed at limiting the virus’ spread. 

The plans for covering the uninsured patients were part of a bigger announcement, detailing another round of economic relief for the health care system, with additional funds to be announced for nursing homes and those relying on Medicaid.