Arlington, VA – Americans for Prosperity issued a guidance memo for state-based reforms that policymakers should adopt to help respond to the spread of COVID-19 and expand access to critical health care services for those who need it.
Chris Hudson, AFP’s Vice President of State Government Affairs, issued the following statement:
“Americans for Prosperity urges swift and targeted action to address the growing public safety challenges associated with the spread of COVID-19. Policymakers in state capitols across the country can start by ensuring that high-risk populations have access to critical health care services.”
The memo identifies a number of steps that state policymakers can take to expand access to critical health care services:
- Lift regulations to allow health care providers to work in the states with greatest need, regardless of the state in which they are licensed. This will free medical professionals to fully provide the services they are trained to provide.
- Expand access to digital tools and telehealth systems that can help reduce the burden on the health system, improve access to health care, and increase social distancing.
- Eliminate government restrictions on the number of hospital beds, CT scanners, or other health services. Certificate of need mandates put unnecessary caps on these essential health care needs.
- Make information about the virus and policymakers’ decisions on combatting it accessible to the public. The open flow of information will allow stakeholders to enact appropriate measures and citizens to make informed decisions to protect public health.
Background:
Americans for Prosperity Urges Swift and Targeted Action on Coronavirus (3/13/20)
AFP, CVA, LIBRE to Congress: COVID-19 Response Should be Targeted, Temporary, and Free from Politics (3/17/20)