President Donald Trump on March 6 signed an $8.3 billion funding package to address the COVID-19 outbreak.
$2.2 billion to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to support federal, state and local public health agencies. $950 million of that total is set aside for state and local agencies for surveillance, lab testing, infection control and preparedness. Funds can be used for building or renovating local or state facilities, which was a provision of interest for the Greater New York Hospital Association.
More than $3 billion for research and development for vaccines, treatments and diagnostics for COVID-19, including $300 million for procurement. Products developed with these funds must be made available at a “fair and reasonable” price to the federal government,but the bill did not give the HHS secretary new authority to control prices in the commercial market.
Nearly $1 billion for drugs, medical supplies and training. $500 million of this total is set aside for masks, protective equipment and drugs to be distributed to states and local agencies with shortages. Community health centers will receive $100 million; $10 million is allocated for worker training.
$500 million for expanded telehealth services in Medicare
$1 billion in loan subsidies that can be used to help small businesses affected by the outbreak
$61 million to the Food and Drug Administration to facilitate development and review of drugs, devices and vaccines to combat COVID-19
$1.25 billion for foreign aid, humanitarian assistance and preparedness at U.S. embassies
