TFAH Applauds Sen. Durbin and Rep. Capps for Introducing Legislation to Protect Disaster...

TFAH Applauds Sen. Durbin and Rep. Capps for Introducing Legislation to
Protect Disaster Victims

WASHINGTON, July 24 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Trust for America's Health
commends Sen. Richard Durbin (D-Ill.) and Rep. Lois Capps (D-CA 23) for
introducing legislation to guarantee emergency treatment for victims affected
by a major public health disaster, regardless of their health insurance status
or ability to pay. The Public Health Emergency Response Act (PHERA) would
ensure every American could seek the medical treatment they need in the
immediate aftermath of events such as hurricanes, terrorist attacks, or
pandemic flu outbreaks, without being deterred by prohibitive health care
costs. Treating compromised individuals protects victims from unnecessary
illness or death, guards the general public from contracting communicable
diseases, and saves hospitals and localities from operating in the red as they
keep up with a sudden surge in demand.

"We know all too well that a public health emergency, such as a natural
disaster, biological attack or infectious disease outbreak, could strike at
any time," said Jeff Levi, Executive Director of Trust for America's Health, a
leading non-profit public health advocacy group. "The key is to contain the
damage to the public's health and ensure that victims' chances of survival are
not dependent on their level of health care coverage. Trust for America's
Health applauds Rep. Capps for her leadership on disaster preparedness, and
her efforts to ensure that Americans are as safe as possible in the case of a
disaster."

"Whether it was the hurricanes that hit the Gulf Coast, the aftermath of the
9/11 attacks, or the floodwaters in the Midwest, the need for medical services
in each of these emergencies was immediate and in some cases dramatic. This
bill would make it easier for uninsured victims to seek treatment and would
provide coverage to the health care professionals who are treating them," said
Durbin. "This measure will help save lives and ensure a functioning health
care system for whatever lies ahead."

"We only need to look at the September 11th attacks and Hurricanes Katrina and
Rita to remind ourselves of the need for rapid access to healthcare services
during a public health emergency," said Rep. Capps, a public health nurse and
Vice-Chair of the Energy and Commerce Committee's Subcommittee on Health. "In
a hurricane or widespread infectious disease outbreak, no one should hesitate
to seek emergency care for themselves or their children because of a fear of
medical costs. In a time of acute crisis, the risks are too big to let
Americans simply fend for themselves and ask hospitals and localities to pick
up the tab."

PHERA would put into place a framework to provide reimbursement for
uncompensated care in the event of a major public health emergency. The plan
would allow the Secretary of Health and Human Services to trigger a temporary
(90 day) emergency health benefit for uninsured and otherwise qualified
individuals affected by a disaster, in the event that the Secretary declares
that a public health emergency exists and opts to activate the benefit.

The legislation would clarify who is eligible for this benefit, limit the
amount of time for which the benefit would last, and stipulate what providers
would be covered. It would not use Medicare, Medicaid or SCHIP funding. The
funding mechanism would be the Public Health Emergency Fund, a no-year fund
available to the Secretary. The bill authorizes funding for an education
campaign about the availability of the benefit, but further funding would not
be necessary until Congress appropriated funds during a declared public health
emergency.

The temporary benefit established through this bill would help remove a
disincentive for uninsured individuals to promptly seek medical care. Any
delay in seeking care could result in lives lost, particularly during an
infectious disease outbreak when immediate identification and isolation are
necessary to limit the spread of disease, and delay in seeking care could
render treatment ineffective. By helping to reduce the burden of
uncompensated care, PHERA would help ensure the solvency and continuity of our
health care system during a catastrophic emergency.

SOURCE Trust for America's Health

Laura Segal of TFAH, +1-202-223-9870 x 27, lsegal@tfah.org