John, demand insurance companies keep Black people on their
insured rolls.
[ [link removed] ][IMG]
No one should be forced to pay COBRA or be without health insurance
during this national emergency.
[ [link removed] ]Take Action
Dear John.
[ [link removed] ]SIGN THE PETITION: Demand insurance companies prioritize the health of
Black people and extend health insurance coverage.
In the past two weeks an estimated 3.5 million workers are expected to
lose their employer-provided health insurance,^1 leaving many of our
people forced to pay for COBRA (continuation of health coverage) in the
middle of a pandemic if we don’t act.
The cost of COBRA coverage is estimated at $633 a month depending on the
bi-weekly deductions from wages. Also, a loss in job-provided coverage
will result in a switch to COBRA coverage forcing individuals to lose the
tax-free benefit of the premiums being deducted from their paychecks
pre-tax.^2 As many Black people are facing lay-offs there should not be an
expectation to shell out money for health care coverage. According to
studies, the COVID-19 (coronavirus) economic freeze could cost 47 million
jobs causing many of our people to be out of work and without insurance
coverage.^3
An alarming number of Black people have less access to health insurance
and paid leave, and many also are putting themselves in harm’s way to hold
on to hourly low-wage jobs for fear of losing health care coverage during
this pandemic.^4 This deadly choice between making a living and simply
living puts unnecessary strain on our people. Black folks remain among the
most vulnerable communities to be affected by coronavirus due to
pre-existing health conditions such as asthma and heart disease. In
Milwaukee County, Wisconsin, as of last Friday morning, 81 percent of the
deaths were black people while Black people make up only 26 percent of
that county.^5 As of Sunday, in Chicago’s Cook County 70 percent of
coronavirus deaths are black, while black residents make up only 23
percent of the population in the county.^6 More than ever Black people
need health insurance. In a time of economic and health-related
uncertainty, no person should be concerned about whether they will have
health insurance.
[ [link removed] ]SIGN THE PETITION: Demand insurance companies prioritize the health of
Black people and extend health insurance coverage.
Roughly half of American health insurance is provided through an
employer.^7 If you lose your job, you’re typically eligible for COBRA
which will allow an employee to keep the same employer-provided health
insurance. However, with claims of unemployment soaring by the day, the
idea of paying a COBRA premium along with maintaining a household is
absurd. According to the Federal Reserve's 2018 report on the economic
well-being of U.S. households, 40% of American adults wouldn’t be able to
cover a $400 emergency with cash, savings, or a credit-card. The highest
jobless rate during the Great Recession, which ended in 2009, was 10%. The
nation’s unemployment rate could approach 32% - with over 10 million
unemployment claims filed within the last two weeks.^8,9 In today’s
volatile economic climate, no one should be expected to pay for COBRA to
be protected from coronavirus.
[ [link removed] ]SIGN THE PETITION: Demand insurance companies prioritize the health of
Black people and extend health insurance coverage.
Major insurance providers should step up and protect Black people instead
of forcing them to shell out an outrageous fee to stay alive. Insurance
companies have waived prior authorizations and co-pays but this is not
enough.^10 Thus far only 37 states have issued waivers to modify certain
Medicare, Medicaid, and CHIP (Children’s Health Insurance Program)
provisions following a state of emergency declared by the Trump
administration on March 13th.^11 However, this expansion doesn’t cover all
low-income coronavirus testing and treatment - leaving Black people
further excluded and targeted through policy that does not consider our
needs.^12
Black people are already systematically disadvantaged due to access to
health care, lack of cultural competence by providers, and implicit bias
in rendering healthcare services, and the threat of coronavirus adds an
additional layer to these quality-of-life issues.^13^ Private equity
vultures are seeking to exploit our country's healthcare crisis by buying
up hospitals that are saddled with debt, displacing critical healthcare
staff and disrupting efforts to eradicate this virus.^14 Politicians and
policy makers are overlooking the nuanced needs of Black communities,
while insurance companies are ignoring their main responsibility to
consumers and policy holders. The basic needs of health care coverage for
our people must be met to ensure proper allocation of healthcare services
and coronavirus testing.
[ [link removed] ]SIGN THE PETITION: Demand insurance companies prioritize the health of
Black people and extend health insurance coverage.
Until justice is real,
--Brandi, Rashad, Arisha, Evan, Johnny, Jade, Amanda, Eesha, Samantha,
Marcus, FolaSade, Jennette, Cierra and the rest of the Color Of Change
team
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References:
1. 3.5 Million Workers Likely Lost Their Employer-provided Health
Insurance In The Past Two Weeks,” Economic Policy Institute, April 2,
2020,
[ [link removed] ][link removed]
2. “How Much Does COBRA Health Insurance Cost?,” Very Well Health,
February 15, 2020,
[ [link removed] ][link removed]
3. “Coronavirus Job Losses Could Total 47 Million, Unemployment Rate May
Hit 32%, Fed Estimates,” CNBC, March 30, 2020,
[ [link removed] ][link removed]
4. “Rumor, Disparity and Distrust: Why Black Americans Face an Uphill
Battle Against COVID-19,” U.S. News & World Report, March 25, 2020,
[ [link removed] ][link removed]
5. “Early Data Shows African Americans Have Contracted and Died of
Coronavirus at an Alarming Rate,” ProPublica, April 3, 2020,
[ [link removed] ][link removed]
6. “In Chicago, 70% of COVID-19 Deaths Are Black,” WBEZ 91.5 Chicago,
April 5, 2020,
[ [link removed] ][link removed]
7. “How To Get Health Insurance If You Lose Your Job Over The
Coronavirus,” Acorns + CNBC, March 26, 2020,
[ [link removed] ][link removed]
8. “Coronavirus Job Losses Could Total 47 Million,” CNBC. March 30, 2020,
[ [link removed] ][link removed]
9. “U.S. Unemployment Claims Soar To Record 3.3 Million As Layoffs Jump,”
Huffington Post, March 26, 2020,
[ [link removed] ][link removed]
10. “Health Insurance Providers Activate Emergency Plans To Help Stop
COVID-19,” KHOU, March 26, 2020,
[ [link removed] ][link removed]
11. “Medicaid Emergency Authority Tracker: Approved State Actions to
Address COVID-19,” Kaiser Family Foundation, April 1, 2020,
[ [link removed] ][link removed]
12. “Trump Administration Approves 1st Medicaid Waiver To Combat
Coronavirus,” Healthcare Dive, March 17, 2020,
[ [link removed] ][link removed]
13. “How Racial Health Disparities Will Play Out in the Pandemic,” Slate,
March 30, 2020,
[ [link removed] ][link removed]
14. “Coronavirus and the Implications of Private Equity Buyouts in
Healthcare,” Center For Economic and Policy Research, March 25, 2020,
[ [link removed] ][link removed]
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[ [link removed] ]Color Of Change is building a movement to elevate the voices of Black
folks and our allies, and win real social and political change. [ [link removed] ]Help
keep our movement strong.
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