In Committee on Education and Labor Forum, Underwood Continues Fight to Expand Access to Affordable Health Care Amid Coronavirus Pandemic

WASHINGTON— Today, in a Committee on Education and Labor virtual forum, Congresswoman Lauren Underwood (IL-14) continued her fight to expand access to quality, affordable health care during the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. In the forum, Underwood highlighted the urgent need for the next coronavirus relief package to include policies like her Health Care Affordability Act (H.R. 1868), which would increase the size of health insurance premium tax credits and extend the tax credits to more Americans. In her remarks, Underwood addressed the need to protect health care for people with preexisting conditions and expand access to affordable care. Underwood stressed that as the coronavirus continues to spread, thousands, if not millions, of people will join the ranks of the 54 million Americans with preexisting conditions who are at risk of losing coverage under the current Administration.

"As coronavirus creates new challenges, it also sheds light on problems that predated the pandemic. Rising health care costs have long threatened access to care for individuals and families throughout my northern Illinois district," said Underwood. "The coronavirus pandemic has only made our cause more urgent, and our next relief packages need to include a range of health care protections and funding."

"We cannot stop there; we must keep an eye on the bigger picture. The coronavirus is a once-in-a-generation crisis that will change our world forever. But, it's also a once-in-a-generation opportunity to catapult us into a stronger health system for everyone," Underwood continued.

In addition to discussing the health impacts of the coronavirus pandemic, Underwood discussed the importance of protecting the health and financial wellbeing of workers and families by expanding paid leave, especially for essential workers on the frontlines of our country's fight against coronavirus.

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