To provide for coverage of testing for COVID-19 at no cost sharing for Indians receiving health services through the Indian Health Service, and for other purposes.

Bill: 116-hr-6261
Sponsor: full_name: Rep. Ruiz, Raul [D-CA-36]
Introduced: 2020-03-12
Policy area: Native Americans
Subjects: Cardiovascular and respiratory health

Emergency medical services and trauma care

Health care costs and insurance

Health care coverage and access

Health programs administration and funding

Indian social and development programs

Infectious and parasitic diseases

Medical tests and diagnostic methods

Minority health
Latest action: action_date: 2020-04-01
text: Referred to the Subcommittee for Indigenous Peoples of the United States.

Summaries:
action_date: 2020-03-12
action_desc: Introduced in House
text: <p>This bill requires the Department of Health and Human Services to cover, during the public health emergency and without cost-sharing, COVID-19 (i.e., coronavirus disease 2019) testing and related visits for Native Americans, including Alaska Natives, who receive health services through the Indian Health Service (IHS), regardless of whether the COVID-19 services are covered under IHS.</p>

tv_txt: I 116th CONGRESS 2d Session H. R. 6261 IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES March 12, 2020 Mr. Ruiz introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Natural Resources , and in addition to the Committee on Energy and Commerce , for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned A BILL To provide for coverage of testing for COVID-19 at no cost sharing for Indians receiving health services through the Indian Health Service, and for other purposes.

1. Coverage of testing for COVID-19 at no cost sharing for Indians receiving health services through Indian Health Service The Secretary of Health and Human Services shall cover, without the imposition of any cost sharing requirements, the cost of providing the following items and services furnished during any portion of the emergency period defined in paragraph (1)(B) of section 1135(g) of the Social Security Act ( 42 U.S.C. 1320b–5(g) ) beginning on or after the date of the enactment of this Act to Indians (as defined in section 4 of the Indian Health Care Improvement Act ( 25 U.S.C. 1603 )) receiving health services through the Indian Health Service, regardless of whether such items or services have been authorized under the contract health services system funded by the Indian Health Service or are covered as a health service of the Indian Health Service: (1) In vitro diagnostic products (as defined in section 809.3(a) of title 21, Code of Federal Regulations) for the detection of SARS–CoV–2 or the diagnosis of the virus that causes COVID-19 that are approved, cleared, or authorized under section 510(k), 513, 515, or 564 of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act, and the administration of such in vitro diagnostic products. (2) Health care provider office visits, urgent care center visits, and emergency room visits relating to testing for COVID-19.