COVID-19 protections lose funding

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COVID-19 protections lose funding

Moving forward, no additional federal funding will be allocated towards COVID-19 testing, treatment or vaccinations

BY LILY GORON, STAFF WRITER

HOUSE DEMOCRATS HAVE officially decided to strip additional COVID-19 funding used to fight the pandemic by providing vaccines, tests and masks, after Democratic and Republican lawmakers were unable to reach an agreement on how to allocate it.

Previously, the supply money was used to provide funds to fight the pandemic, but was emptied as COVID-19 testing increased and vaccines became less accessible. After much debate, it has been decided that there would be no more funding money distributed for this purpose.

A few weeks ago, Congress voted on a new COVID-19 regulation which denied the allocation of $22.5 billion aimed towards potentially ending the pandemic. The bill was signed by President Joe Biden, and according to press officials informed of the decision, there are no known reasons as to why the COVID-19 funding was not accepted. Yet, without this funding, the Biden administration will not be able to supply citizens with treatments to fight the virus.

“Congress should allocate funds to educate the public and prevent another severe outbreak of COVID-19 or other pathogens,” IB Chemistry teacher Elizabeth Kiely said.

To combat this issue, the federal government has been able to come to an agreement that manages to secure the funding needed for children under four years old to be vaccinated or tested and to offer a fourth booster shot to the immunocompromised, according to CNN. Any other measure beyond that, however, would require further approval from Congress.

“If this is how we go about things during a pandemic, we will definitely end up running into another,” senior Ihtzel Michel said.

Because of the lack of funding, hospitals and doctors’ offices will not be reimbursed for testing, treating or vaccinating uninsured patients for COVID-19 as of April 5. This further damages communities unable to afford healthcare.

“I think this will last for a few months until enough protests happen or someone higher up decides that enough is enough and Americans need COVID-19 tests. Everyone needs them at some point and if someone can’t buy one, then that can be an incredible recipe for disaster,” junior Hassan Shahid said.

Due to the predicted lack of funds, the U.S. has already started to transition certain COVID-19 products to commercial markets. Some companies, such as Eli Lilly & Co., have also announced that they would sell COVID-19 antibody treatments directly to health providers, states and territories in need to be able to keep the medicine available.

Medicine and COVID-19 related items such as masks will not be bought, as The White House has stated that there will not be enough funding for the government and medical services to buy them. If another dose of the vaccine is needed, testing capabilities will further decrease. Furthermore, an increase in purchases of antibody treatment and preventative treatment for those with weakened immune systems would significantly impact this vulnerable part of the population. In addition to vaccine export organizations, major research and development of COVID-19 treatments would be largely affected.

Despite the rejection of additional funding, America has an already settled emergency fund for situations in which money cannot be provided. According to CNN, out of America’s $1.9 trillion in funding, $300 billion remains unobligated while $240 million is set to be distributed for cities and states to operate with.

As well as refusing to use COVID-19 funding money, House Representatives have also blocked $15 billion in new pandemic funds over some concerns that it would come from state aid. This is major because the use of state aid money would mean losing money in states’ main trust funds. h

a quick timeline

Compiled by Emily Kardjian/highlights

March 2020 State of emergency is declared

Dec. 2020 First COVID-19 vaccine is approved

Aug. 2021 COVID-19 booster shot is approved

Sept. 2022 Booster advised for all over 16 years old

June 2022 Vaccine authorized for all over six months old