Stopping the Spread of Coronavirus: What Federal and State Governments Can Do to Increase Access to Treatment and Prevention

As the coronavirus outbreak grows in the U.S., taking steps to ensure that people can get and afford the health care and social supports they need will be critical to containing the disease and mitigating its impact on people’s health and well-being, as well as on the health care system itself. 

The Commonwealth Fund will host an educational briefing and Q&A for journalists and policymakers. Leading experts will address these key questions:

• What policy tools do the federal government and states have at their disposal to address the pandemic, and what actions have they taken so far?

• How can we expand coverage and access to care through Medicaid, and how can we work with insurers so that no one is deterred from seeking needed treatment?

• Now that federal emergency powers are in place, what role could they play, and where could they fall short?