On Monday, the Senate Finance and Appropriations Committee passed H.B. 2124 which would allow Emergency Medicaid to cover COVID-19 testing, treatment, and vaccinations for the immigrant community. With COVID-19 deeply impacting many immigrant families, this would ensure Virginia continues its investment in access to COVID-19 services during the federal public health emergency.

“Breaking down systemic barriers for immigrant families to get access to COVID-19 treatment is the right thing to do,” said Monica Sarmiento, Executive Director of the Virginia Coalition for Immigrant Rights and a member of the Virginia Department of Health’s COVID-18 Advisory Workgroup. “By investing and providing immigrant families the tools to overcome COVID-19 safely, we are making sure we are not leaving anyone behind.”

Currently, the federal government has provided resources to make the COVID-19 vaccine available at no cost for people who are uninsured regardless of immigration status. Health care providers can apply for reimbursement for COVID-19 testing and treatment for uninsured individuals. Although these are great programs for undocumented families, there runs a risk of ending federal funding. Systemically, the list of affordable health coverage remains a barrier for undocumented families since they are not eligible for certain programs such as the Affordable Care Act (ACA). In 2018 over 21% of immigrants, or 143,800 people, living in Northern Virginia were without health insurance.

“Virginia is one step closer to ensuring all individuals with low-incomes, regardless of immigration status, will access COVID-19 testing and/or treatment during the federal health emergency without concerns about how much it will cost, said Freddy Mejia, the Commonwealth Institute for Fiscal Analysis.  “We applaud this important vote and look forward to monitoring the legislation as it makes its way to the Senate floor.”

H.B. 2124 will now be sent to the full Senate for consideration of passage. If passed, H.B. 2124 will be sent to the House of Delegates due to an additional amendment that would make the emergency Medicaid policy effective once federal funding for COVID-19 testing and treatment for the uninsured fiscal impact is depleted. The version that passed the House would have made the policy effective starting July 1, 2021.