January 11, 2022
Washington, D.C. –In response to the Biden Administration’s new rule requiring health plans to cover over-the-counter, rapid COVID-19 tests, ACHP President and CEO Ceci Connolly issued the following statement :
“As our nation faces an unprecedented and alarming COVID surge, Americans still lack access to affordable testing. The guidance issued today fails to address the enormous barriers: significant shipping delays, sold-out pharmacies and retailers, and the early signs of price-gouging.
“We have long called on the Administration to prioritize available and affordable testing for every American. We appreciate our ongoing, constructive conversations with the Administration regarding test accessibility and our shared goals to protect the American public. However, the lack of a coordinated national testing strategy two years into this public health emergency leaves too many communities without the resources necessary to mitigate this virus. There are alternatives available to improve access to at-home tests, but this ill-conceived guidance misses the mark.”
About ACHP
The Alliance of Community Health Plans (ACHP) represents the nation’s top-performing non-profit health plans to improve affordability and outcomes in the health care system. ACHP member companies are provider-aligned health organizations that provide high-quality coverage and care to tens of millions of Americans. They are leading the industry in practical, proven reforms around primary care delivery, value-based payment and data-driven systems improvement.
ACHP advocates on behalf of its members and a unique approach to health care today, one that puts the patient at the center with health plans and clinical teams collaborating to improve health outcomes and reduce costs. Our advocacy focuses on providing policymakers with tested solutions being realized in communities nationwide and rooted in a model that is proven to deliver better value for patients, employers and taxpayers. Learn more at the ACHP website and follow us on Twitter for the latest health insights.
