TITLE
RESOLUTION URGING THE UNITED STATES CONGRESS TO ENACT H.R. 6173, THE COVERING CORONAVIRUS TEST ACT OF 2020, OR SIMILAR LEGISLATION THAT WOULD ADD CORONAVIRUS TESTING TO THE LIST OF SERVICES THAT HEALTH INSURERS ARE REQUIRED TO COVER AT NO COST TO PATIENTS

BODY
WHEREAS, in December 2019, a novel coronavirus disease, COVID-19, caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus (together with the disease, �Coronavirus�) was first identified in Wuhan, Hubei province, China; and
WHEREAS, since its identification in December 2019, Coronavirus has spread quickly and widely, with over 120,000 cases now confirmed worldwide; and
WHEREAS, there are now at least 1,000 confirmed cases of Coronavirus in the United States; and
WHEREAS, one of the challenges of managing the spread of Coronavirus is determining how many people may actually be infected with Coronavirus; and
WHEREAS, individuals who believe they may be infected with Coronavirus may nevertheless be reluctant to seek a diagnostic test which would confirm whether or not they have Coronavirus, out of concerns regarding the out of pocket costs for such testing; and
WHEREAS, United States Representative Diana DeGette (D � Colorado) has introduced House of Representatives Bill 6173 (H.R. 6173), entitled the Covering Coronavirus Test Act of 2020, for consideration during the 116th Congress; and
WHEREAS, the Covering Coronavirus Test Act of 2020 is co-sponsored by Representative Donna E. Shalala (D � Florida); and
WHEREAS, the Covering Coronavirus Test Act of 2020 would add Coronavirus testing to the list of services that health insurers are required to cover at no cost to patients; and
WHEREAS, identifying infected individuals through diagnostic testing is an important tool in limiting community exposure and managing the spread of Coronavirus; and
WHEREAS, this coverage would help ensure that individuals who may be infected with Coronavirus do not avoid diagnostic testing because of concerns regarding out of pocket costs; and
WHEREAS, this Board supports the enactment of H.R. 6173, the Covering Coronavirus Test Act of 2020, or similar legislation that would add Coronavirus testing to the list of services that health insurers are required to cover at no cost to patients,
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS OF MIAMI-DADE COUNTY, FLORIDA, that this Board:
Section 1. Urges the United States Congress to enact H.R. 6173, the Covering Coronavirus Test Act of 2020, or similar legislation that would add Coronavirus testing to the list of services that health insurers are required to cover at no cost to patients.
Section 2. Directs the Clerk of the Board to transmit a certified copy of this resolution to Representative Diana DeGette, Representative Donna E. Shalala, and the remaining members of the Florida Congressional Delegation.
Section 3. Directs the County�s federal lobbyists to advocate for the legislative action set forth in section 1 above, and authorizes and directs the Office of Intergovernmental Affairs to amend the 2020 Federal Legislative Package to include this item.