Dear GPAHU Members,
I hope this message finds you safe and healthy as we all attempt to maintain a semblance of our normal family, work and life routines. As our local communities, country and world faces unprecedented shared challenges and uncertainty, our collective mission of providing quality affordable healthcare for all citizens we serve has never been more important. I hope you take some pride in knowing our work as insurance professionals is officially recognized as “life sustaining” under Pennsylvania’s coronavirus shutdown order. Additionally, I thought it might be appropriate to provide an update as we move along together to fulfill our mission.
As the nation’s premier trade association representing health insurance agents and brokers, NAHU is committed to helping meet the healthcare challenges posed by the novel coronavirus and the disease it causes, COVID-19. Many health insurers are waiving copays and cost-sharing associated with COVID-19 testing. These moves will ensure that out-of-pocket costs do not prevent consumers from getting tested or seeking treatment. NAHU members play a critical role helping people secure coverage for vital healthcare services, including testing and treatment for COVID-19. They’re also trusted advisers for employers, who count on them to assist their employees when they have issues with their coverage or questions about their benefits. We at NAHU are committed to doing all we can to help reduce the spread of the novel coronavirus. We will continue to monitor COVID-19 closely.
GPAHU, along with NAHU, commends members of Congress for taking swift action to pass the $2 trillion dollar economic stimulus package that will help American families, businesses and workers weather this unprecedented global pandemic. the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act, a bipartisan action taken by Congress, follows the recent passage of the Families First Coronavirus Response Act and several pieces of emergency guidance released by the Trump Administration.
“The provisions in the CARES Act will help employers stay in business, keep employees on their payroll, and allow them to continue to offer benefits, including health insurance,” stated NAHU CEO Janet Trautwein. “The CARES Act expands access to coronavirus testing, improves telehealth and allows Health Savings Accounts to be used to purchase over-the-counter medications. “NAHU and its chapters throughout the country are in unison regarding mitigating as much disruption as possible for healthcare consumers and employers during this pandemic. NAHU members continue to play a critical role helping people secure coverage for vital healthcare services, including testing and treatment for the coronavirus. They’re also trusted advisers for employers big and small who count on them to assist their employees when they have issues with their coverage or questions about their benefits.”
All health insurers, other insurance industry representatives and other interested parties are encouraged to review the latest Pennsylvania information about COVID-19 released by the PA Department of Health at www.health.pa.gov. The CDC is closely monitoring this situation and is working with the WHO and state and local public health partners to respond to COVID-19. This is a rapidly evolving situation and they are updating their information constantly.
Additionally, NAHU has compiled a valuable arsenal of online resources. Click here to view. Are you receiving NAHU’s updates on COVID-19 and other news? To make sure, log in to your NAHU member portal and encourage your members to do the same. Keeping in touch and up to date is so important, especially now. Please sign in here to check out your information. If you do not know your NAHU member log in, you can email either GPAHU Executive Director, Karen Mardis, at kwmardis@gpahu.net or membership@nahu.org.
Rest assured that when the time becomes appropriate, the GPAHU events will resume and we will work tirelessly to ensure that our members have the most up to date information available to them. Until then, please do not hesitate to reach out to either myself or Karen. Watch your email later this week for the April issue of GPAHU Pulse, our monthly legislative newsletter.
You are an amazing group of people. Thank you for your continued support as members of our Association. Stay healthy, safe, positive, and comforted by knowing how valuable our collective efforts are to the people we serve.
Respectfully,
Chris Handley
GPAHU President
