Morning Briefing
Summaries of health policy coverage from major news organizations
Another Round Of Free Covid Tests Can Be Requested Starting Sept. 25
AP: Biden Administration Announces $600M To Produce COVID Tests And Will Reopen Website To Order Them
The Biden administration announced Wednesday that it is providing $600 million in funding to produce new at-home COVID-19 tests and is restarting a website allowing Americans to again order up to four free tests per household — aiming to prevent possible shortages during a rise in coronavirus cases that has typically come during colder months. The Department of Health and Human Services says orders can be placed at COVIDTests.gov starting Sept. 25, and that no-cost tests will be delivered for free by the United States Postal Service. (Weissert, 9/20)
The Washington Post: Free Covid Tests Will Be Mailed Again, Biden Administration Says
Just as a summer covid wave shows signs of receding, the Biden administration announced Wednesday that it is reviving a program to mail free rapid coronavirus tests to Americans. Starting Sept. 25, people can request four free tests per household through covidtests.gov. Officials say the tests are able to detect the latest variants and are intended to be used through the end of the year. (Nirappil, 9/20)
USA Today: Four Free COVID Home Tests Per Household Available Beginning Monday
“The Biden-Harris Administration, in partnership with domestic manufacturers, has made great strides in addressing vulnerabilities in the U.S. supply chain by reducing our reliance on overseas manufacturing,” said HHS Secretary Xavier Becerra. “These critical investments will strengthen our nation’s production levels of domestic at-home COVID-19 rapid tests and help mitigate the spread of the virus.” HHS officials said the tests will detect the COVID-19 variants now circulating and can be used through the end of 2023. (Alltucker, 9/20)
But don't forget about old tests in your medicine cabinet —
The Wall Street Journal: Your Expired At-Home Covid-19 Tests May Still Work
Don’t throw out that seemingly outdated at-home rapid Covid-19 test just yet. It may still be good. (Adams Otis and Calfas, 9/20)
And in developments on long covid —
CIDRAP: HHS Awards $45 Million To Support Long-COVID Clinics
The US Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), through its Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ), today announced nine grant awards of $1 million each for up to 5 years to support existing long-COVID clinics. The grants are also designed to expand access to care to patients suffering from long COVID, especially those in underserved groups and areas. (Schnirring, 9/20)
