Washington, D.C. -March 6, 2020 - (The Ponder News) -- U.S. Representative Marcy Kaptur (D-OH, 9th), senior Member of the House Appropriations Committee, voted in support of H.R. 6074, an emergency supplemental appropriations bill to address the coronavirus outbreak:
“For weeks, Americans in every corner of the country have felt a great sense of concern regarding the new strain of coronavirus, COVID-19,” said Rep. Kaptur. “The reports coming out of China, Italy, and now even some of our own communities are alarming. My heart goes out to the families of Americans and people around the world who have lost loved ones or seen their lives turned upside down since the discovery of the virus.”
“It is evident that COVID-19 is not just a common flu, but something that requires a measured, coordinated, and whole of government response. I have found the mixed, and at times even competing, messages coming out of the Administration, specifically the White House, to be deeply problematic.
“We can right the course if we work together. Today, I joined my House colleagues in voting to pass bipartisan legislation approving $8.3 billion in emergency funding, including $950 million for state and local health departments, to respond to COVID-19 and save lives.
“Our government’s ability to research and develop breakthrough cures and respond to community outbreaks is second to none. That’s why this legislation includes robust funding to equip our forces at the center of the interagency effort, including CDC, NIH, and BARDA, with the necessary funds to successfully combat coronavirus on our shores. What’s more, it is critical that cost not be a prohibitor for Americans seeking testing or treatment for COVID-19.
“Emergency preparedness during a public health threat is paramount. An ounce of prevention is worth more than a pound of panic. I urge the public to take commonsense precautions to prevent infection: wash your hands, avoid close contact with people who are sick, stay home when you are sick, and avoid touching your face. We can all do our part to strengthen public health.
“I urge swift, bipartisan action in the Senate.”
U.S. Representative John Katko (R-NY, 24th) spoke to his constituents along similiar lines: “I urge all Central New Yorkers to take preventative measures to limit the spread of disease. I will remain engaged on this issue and will continue my work in Congress to promote the public health and safety of families in Central New York.”
The $8.3 billion emergency supplemental is entirely new funding—not funding stolen from other critical public health priorities—to combat the coronavirus, including:
More than $3 billion for research and development of vaccines, therapeutics, and diagnostics;
$2.2 billion in public health funding for prevention, preparedness, and response, $950 million of which is to support state & local health agencies;
Nearly $1 billion for procurement of pharmaceuticals and medical supplies, to support healthcare preparedness and Community Health Centers, and to improve medical surge capacity;
$61 million to facilitate the development and review of medical countermeasures, devices, therapies, and vaccines, and to help mitigate potential supply chain interruptions;
$1.25 billion to address the coronavirus abroad to help keep Americans safe here at home;
Allows for an estimated $7 billion in low-interest loans to affected small businesses, to help cushion the economic blow of this public health emergency;
Provides $300 million so the government can purchase vaccines at a fair and reasonable price;
Allows seniors to access telemedicine services for coronavirus treatment;
Requires the Trump administration to reimburse health accounts that were previously raided to pay for the coronavirus response;
Ensures state and local governments are reimbursed for costs incurred while assisting the federal response.
Last week, the Trump Administration requested $2.5 billion to combat the coronavirus. However, health experts said that more resources are needed to combat the growing health epidemic. Additionally, $1.25 billion of the administration’s proposal would be transferred from funding already allocated to fighting other infectious diseases, including Ebola virus, as well as stealing money from the National Cancer Institute and the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program.
The CDC has produced a fact sheet with frequently asked questions about the coronavirus
here.
A summary of the package is available
here.
