Doggett introduces legislation to create special enrollment period for ACA

As we shelter-in-place in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, U.S. Rep. Lloyd Doggett has introduced bipartisan legislation to require a special ACA enrollment period in times of a public health emergency. Sen. Bob Casey (D-Pa.) introduced the legislation in the Senate. “The Affordable Care Act is an invaluable tool in combating the coronavirus pandemic. Let’s give more Americans an opportunity to access affordable health care, especially those who missed last year’s Trump-narrowed and little federally publicized enrollment period. And for those who have discovered that the junk, short-term insurance plan they purchased is really junk, this represents an opportunity to secure genuine health insurance,” said Rep. Doggett. The bill would establish a 30-day special enrollment period for anyone who wants to enroll, ensure that patients can get prevention, diagnostics and treatment, and waive restrictions and limitations on access to covered benefits (such as prior authorization requirements and limitations on filling or refilling prescription drugs).