Pappas Introduces Legislation to Guarantee Free Access to COVID-19 Treatment and Vaccination for Children and Low-Income NH Residents

Congressman Chris Pappas (NH-01) introduced legislation to ensure that children and low-income New Hampshire residents can access COVID-19 treatments as well as a future vaccine free of charge if they are covered by Medicaid or the Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP).

By waiving cost-sharing under these programs, the Ensuring Vaccination and Treatment Affordability Act will help guarantee vulnerable Granite Staters can receive necessary health services to protect themselves and their families from the virus.

"In order to effectively combat COVID-19 in the coming months, we must act now to ensure access to treatment and a vaccine once they are approved," said Congressman Pappas. "This legislation will remove financial barriers for Granite Staters enrolled in Medicaid to get the treatment and vaccination that will save lives and help public health efforts succeed long-term. As we work to combat this pandemic on all fronts, I will continue fighting to guarantee that everyone in New Hampshire can access critical health services so that our state can emerge from this unprecedented crisis as quickly and as safely as possible."

Throughout the fight against COVID-19, Congressman Pappas has advocated for increasing access to and improving health insurance coverage. He has led members in calling for the Administration to issue guidance on waivers that would allow states to cut red tape in Medicaid enrollment and to open a Special Enrollment Period to allow uninsured individuals to access the individual exchanges. Additionally, he has urged House leadership to take critical steps to help those losing their employer sponsored insurance by subsidizing COBRA and strengthening the individual exchanges.