Health insurers are working to show policymakers in Washington that they are doing their part to fight the COVID-19 pandemic, and to make the U.S. health care delivery and health care finance systems better and more fair.
Matt Eyles, the CEO of America's Health Insurance Plans (AHIP), talked repeatedly about efforts to fight health care disparities Tuesday during the first session at AHIP's National Health Policy Conference.
AHIP presented the three-day 2021 conference via the web. Eyles kicked off the conference by showing attendees AHIP's new "Care Changes Everything" video.
"This week marks one year from the emergency declaration for COVID-19," Eyles said.
The COVID-19 pandemic has brought "extraordinary health iniquities to the surface," including revelations about how differences in people's ability to get care can affect their vulnerability to COVID-19, Eyles said.
"This is a seminal moment for social and racial justice," Eyles said.
Health Insurers as Engines for Change
AHIP is presenting brief interviews with health insurance company CEOs throughout the conference. The first of the interviews featured Dr. Tunde Sotunde, the CEO of Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina.
Sotunde talked about how his company — like most other AHIP member companies — had enhanced benefits and increased community support efforts in response to the pandemic.
