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Senate Co-Sponsorship Memoranda
Senate of Pennsylvania
Session of 2021 - 2022
Regular Session
MEMORANDUM
| Posted: | January 31, 2022 11:06 AM |
|---|---|
| From: | Senator Michele Brooks |
| To: | All Senate members |
| Subject: | Prohibiting Health Insurance Discrimination Based on COVID-19 Vaccine Status |
| Throughout the pandemic, health insurers have covered COVID-19 treatments and hospitalizations without counting those expenses toward beneficiaries' health insurance coverage. This was especially seen in 2020 when COVID-19 vaccines were not yet available. Now that COVID-19 vaccines are widely available and viewed by the health care industry as a preventative step to preventing severe reactions, hospitalizations, and death due to the virus, such health care expenses are now billed toward the individual's insurance coverage. This means that beneficiaries are once again paying toward their deductibles, like they would for any other kind of medical services. However, for those unvaccinated for COVID-19, the impact is being felt differently in 2022. Health insurers are implementing cost-control measures, such as increasing premiums, for those unvaccinated for COVID-19. I will soon be introducing legislation that prevents health insurers from discriminating against beneficiaries based on their COVID-19 vaccination status. Please join me in co-sponsoring this important legislation. |