White House Has Earmarked All Covid Funds, Will Need More For Future Response
HHS documents obtained by Bloomberg reveal that all approved funding has already been allocated to combat the covid pandemic, leaving nothing to protect against future developments like new variants or vaccine stockpiling. But congressional lawmakers may not have the appetite to appropriate much more, Politico reports.
Bloomberg:
Covid Funding Is Drying Up, White House Warns U.S. Lawmakers
The Biden administration is warning lawmakers that the U.S. doesn’t have enough money on hand to respond to future Covid-19 variants, stockpile vaccines or develop new technologies. Funds for pandemic response -- including testing, vaccine distribution and other medical supplies -- have been either spent or set aside already for purchases, according to a Department of Health and Human Services document obtained by Bloomberg News. All funds provided so far have been spent or earmarked for use. (Griffin, 2/17)
Politico:
Biden Wants Billions More In Covid Funding. Lawmakers Aren't Eager To Spend Big — Again
Lawmakers aren’t eager to spend big — again — on a pandemic many would just as soon declare over. President Joe Biden’s cabinet members and public health experts say they are running out of money to battle Covid-19 and need tens of billions more dollars to continue vaccination, testing and medicine distribution efforts at home and abroad. (Ollstein, 2/17)
In related news —
Houston Chronicle:
Senate Blocks Ted Cruz’s Attempt To Defund Biden Vaccine Mandates
The U.S. Senate on Thursday shot down attempts by Texas Sen. Ted Cruz to defund President Joe Biden’s federal vaccine mandates and strip funding from schools that require students to get vaccinated against COVID. Cruz was one of a handful of Senate Republicans who threatened to block a short-term government funding bill unless the Senate voted on amendments blocking funding for vaccine requirements. The Senate rejected both amendments and passed a bill funding the government through March 11, averting a shutdown ahead of a Friday deadline. (Wermund, 2/17)
In more news from the federal government —
NPR:
Biden Administration Says It Will Distribute High-Quality Masks For Kids
The Biden administration will soon make more high-quality masks available for kids. Dr. Tom Inglesby, senior adviser to the White House COVID- 19 Response Team, said in a briefing on Wednesday that 230 million masks have already been delivered to pharmacies and community health centers. And now, he said, there will be an expanded effort focused on children. "We are now in the process of planning for the distribution of masks for children. And we'll have more to say about that in the days ahead. But there's a commitment to do that, and there's a process underway, certainly, for all adults to get masks now for free at pharmacies and community health clinics across the country," Inglesby said. (Wamsley, 2/17)
Bloomberg:
State Of The Union 2022: Masks, Negative Tests Required Of In-Person Congress
All members of Congress will be allowed to attend President Joe Biden’s first State of the Union address, but they must follow Covid-19 health guidelines, including masking, or risk being tossed from the event and fined. A memo Thursday by House Sergeant at Arms William Walker lays out the rules for the March 1 address to a joint session of Congress, including limiting lawmakers to one non-transferable ticket and requiring they attest to negative Covid-19 results. (House, 2/17)
CBS News:
Unexplained Injuries Similar To Previous "Havana Syndrome" Cases Afflicted U.S. Officials On White House Grounds
High-ranking Homeland Security officials in the Trump administration say they were overcome with feelings of vertigo, confusion and memory loss while on White House grounds and in their Washington, D.C.-area homes. The incidents and symptoms they describe are similar to the "Havana Syndrome" that has been reported by American diplomats in foreign countries since 2016. The officials spoke to 60 Minutes for a new report airing Sunday. Other stories of officials being stricken were corroborated by former National Security Adviser John Bolton, who fears there is a threat to the highest levels of the U.S. government. (2/17)
KHN:
KHN’s ‘What The Health?’: It’s Health Costs, Stupid (2022 Edition)
The pandemic may be showing signs of winding down, but health care costs are not. In Massachusetts, a fight is shaping up over whether one of the most prestigious hospital systems needs to save money, while antitrust cases against other hospital systems have been filed in California, Connecticut, and North Carolina. Meanwhile, the Senate confirmed Dr. Robert Califf to head the FDA, finally filling out the Biden administration’s health leadership. Califf’s nomination was strongly opposed by anti-abortion groups, but, in the end, he won the votes of several Republicans who are not running for reelection. (2/17)
