The AP Interview: Health chief warns of COVID funds shortage
2 years, 9 months ago

The AP Interview: Health chief warns of COVID funds shortage

Associated Press  

WASHINGTON — With the nation yearning for a new normal after its long struggle with the coronavirus, U.S. Health Secretary Xavier Becerra warned Thursday that vaccines, tests and treatments will be “stuck on the ground” unless Congress provides the additional funds the White House has demanded. And Becerra said a funding impasse with Capitol Hill could hamper the Biden administration’ s promising new strategy called “Test to Treat.” Under that plan, people could go to their local drugstore for a COVID test, and if they were positive, receive medication they could then take at home. “You’re stuck on the ground.” In a wide-ranging interview, Becerra also expressed concerns about cases rising among children as schools lift mask requirements. “If a parent says, ‘I want my child to wear a mask,’ good for them.” He also said his Department of Health and Human Services is trying to prepare so millions of people do not lose health insurance if their eligibility for Medicaid lapses when the government ends the official COVID public health emergency. As for the “Test to Treat” program, Becerra said it would help people get medication soon after they are infected, heading off potential hospitalization.

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History of this topic

How raising the nation’s debt limit could reduce spending of some coronavirus relief funds
1 year, 7 months ago

How raising the nation’s debt limit could reduce spending of some coronavirus relief funds

Associated Press  

With the pandemic officially over, leftover coronavirus relief money for vaccines, public health initiatives and other programs has become a target as negotiators try to reach a budget deal to raise the nation’s debt limit. HOW MUCH IS AT STAKE The Congressional Budget Office estimates that halting the use of unobligated pandemic relief funds would result in a net spending …

GOP Senators Push Back On COVID Funds Request After Biden Says 'Pandemic Is Over'
2 years, 3 months ago

GOP Senators Push Back On COVID Funds Request After Biden Says 'Pandemic Is Over'

Huff Post  

LOADING ERROR LOADING Senate Republicans expressed skepticism over whether COVID-19 funding is still necessary following President Joe Biden’s recent comments declaring the end of the pandemic. “Maybe that’s his approach to it, I’d have to ask him.” Earlier this month, Dr. Ashish Jha, the White House COVID-19 response coordinator, told reporters “the pandemic is not over,” and said the administration …

White House says COVID-19 vaccines, treatments could be rationed without more funds
2 years, 7 months ago

White House says COVID-19 vaccines, treatments could be rationed without more funds

LA Times  

The White House is planning for “dire” contingencies that could include rationing supplies of vaccines and treatments this fall if Congress doesn’t approve more money for fighting COVID-19. “But we’re looking at all the scenarios and planning for all of them.” He said the administration was “getting much more into the scenario-planning business to make sure that we know what …

White House: Without Funding U.S. Will Lose COVID Treatments
2 years, 7 months ago

White House: Without Funding U.S. Will Lose COVID Treatments

Huff Post  

LOADING ERROR LOADING WASHINGTON — For much of the past two years, America has been first in line for COVID-19 vaccines and treatments. Japan, Vietnam, the Philippines, and Hong Kong have all placed orders for treatments and vaccine doses that the U.S. can’t yet commit to, according to the White House. “We know companies are working on additional, promising life-saving …

White House warns of ‘severe consequences’ if Congress doesn’t pass supplemental Covid funding
2 years, 9 months ago

White House warns of ‘severe consequences’ if Congress doesn’t pass supplemental Covid funding

CNN  

CNN — White House Covid-19 response coordinator Jeff Zients on Monday renewed the Biden administration’s urgent call for Congress to pass pandemic supplemental funding or face “severe consequences.” His remarks came amid uncertainty for the legislative path forward for additional money for the federal government’s pandemic response. We sent Congress a targeted request for $22.5 billion to meet those urgent …

End of COVID funds? House eyes $15.6B, but outlook dim
2 years, 9 months ago

End of COVID funds? House eyes $15.6B, but outlook dim

Associated Press  

WASHINGTON — This could be the end of the line for congressional funding to fight COVID-19. The end result Wednesday was a $15.6 billion package prepared by House Democrats that has almost no chance of passing in the evenly divided Senate, where Republicans have indicated they are unwilling to provide more money without cuts elsewhere or a full accounting from …

End of COVID funds? House eyes $15.6-billion plan, but outlook is dim
2 years, 9 months ago

End of COVID funds? House eyes $15.6-billion plan, but outlook is dim

LA Times  

Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi gives her weekly news conference Wednesday on Capitol Hill in Washington. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi called the turn of events “heartbreaking.” The idea had been to add President Biden’s request for new virus aid to the massive $1.5-trillion spending bill, a must-pass measure needed by week’s end to keep the federal government operating through …

White House: Congress must act soon to replenish COVID funds
2 years, 9 months ago

White House: Congress must act soon to replenish COVID funds

Associated Press  

WASHINGTON — The U.S. will soon begin to run out of money to bolster COVID-19 testing supplies and to guarantee that uninsured Americans keep getting free treatment for the virus unless Congress swiftly approves more funding, the White House warned. This month, the White House warns, COVID-19 testing manufacturers will begin to slow production of at-home rapid tests unless the …

White House: Congress must act soon to replenish COVID funds
2 years, 9 months ago

White House: Congress must act soon to replenish COVID funds

Associated Press  

WASHINGTON — The U.S. will soon begin to run out of money to bolster COVID-19 testing supplies and to guarantee that uninsured Americans keep getting free treatment for the virus unless Congress swiftly approves more funding, the White House warned Friday. This month, the White House warns, COVID-19 testing manufacturers will begin to slow production of at-home rapid tests unless …

White House outlines new plan to combat COVID in US
2 years, 9 months ago

White House outlines new plan to combat COVID in US

Al Jazeera  

New preparedness plan requires more funding to restock the nation’s stockpile of tests, antiviral pills and masks. US President Joe Biden‘s administration has laid out a new national blueprint to combat COVID-19, including any possible future outbreaks of new variants, without shutting down schools and businesses. It said the additional funding would help restock the nation’s stockpile of tests, antiviral …

AP sources: White House seeks another $30B for COVID battle
2 years, 10 months ago

AP sources: White House seeks another $30B for COVID battle

Associated Press  

WASHINGTON — The Biden administration is telling Congress that it needs an additional $30 billion to press ahead with the fight against COVID-19, officials said. Two people familiar with the administration’s plan confirmed key details on Tuesday: $17.9 billion for vaccines and treatments, $4.9 billion for testing, $3 billion to cover coronavirus care for uninsured people, and $3.7 billion to …

Billions spent on coronavirus fight, but what happens next?
3 years, 8 months ago

Billions spent on coronavirus fight, but what happens next?

Associated Press  

Congress has poured tens of billions of dollars into state and local public health departments in response to the coronavirus pandemic, paying for masks, contact tracers and education campaigns to persuade people to get vaccinated. Congress eventually allocated $1.1 billion for Zika, but by then, mosquito season had passed in much of the U.S. “Something happens, we throw a ton …

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