Legislation Introduced to Combat Coronavirus

Liz Gullett

Mar 20, 2020

A package of bills was introduced this week by members of the House Democratic caucus addressing several key issues surrounding the coronavirus and its impact on Michigan. The bill sponsors believe the package will take critical steps toward increasing public safety and protecting Michigan residents. The package allows for the creation of a pandemic outbreak fund, removes cost barriers to testing, treating, and other costs, and urges congress to provide the state with increased support. Other aspects of the package include:

- Requires the Department of Health and Human Services, in coordination with local health departments, to develop a model pandemic preparedness plan to assist governmental entities.
- Establishes coronavirus reporting requirements, definitions, and coverage of the uninsured.
- Creates the pandemic outbreak fund, which would be dedicated to addressing costs and acting as a reinsurance to help cover wage loss.
- Requires Medicaid coverage, at no out-of-pocket expense, of costs associated with the coronavirus, including treatment and testing, wage loss, medications, vaccines, and hand sanitizer and face masks.
- Requires private insurance coverage, at no out-of-pocket expense, of costs associated with the coronavirus, including treatment and testing, medications, vaccines, and hand sanitizer and face masks.
- Urges congress and the Center for Disease Control to provide financial support to Michigan to assist us in combating the coronavirus.

The bill package has been referred to the House Health Policy Committee for consideration.

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