INSUBCONTINENT EXCLUSIVE:
Congress on Wednesday approved $8.3 billion in emergency funding to respond to the spreading novel coronavirus, COVID-19, which has already
sickened 80 people across 13 states and killed nine in the United States alone.
More than $3 billion of that funding will go to the
research and development of vaccines, therapeutics and diagnostics — and some of that financing will likely find its way into the coffers
of startup companies working on technologies to combat the disease.
Another $2.2 billion will fund the Centers for Disease Control and
Prevention, including $950 million to support state and local health agencies, according to a breakdown of the spending in Politico
About half of the $950 million will be distributed within the next 30 days to help states pay for test kits and services, with no state
receiving less than $4 million.
The bill also includes a $300 million carveout to help ensure that all Americans can receive a coronavirus
vaccine once it developed — regardless of their ability to pay.
Other agencies that are set to receive money as part of the spending bill
include the National Institutes of Health, which will receive $836 million, and the United States Agency for International Development,
which will receive a $1.3 billion block of funding.
As part of the spending package, the Food and Drug Administration will receive $61
million to pay for vaccine testing and other efforts, including new spending to boost United States manufacturing of critical medical
devices and pharmaceuticals whose supply chains are jeopardized by their reliance on components and materials made in China.
Remote care is
also getting a boost under the spending plan
Telehealth services will receive a $500 million boost from Medicare spending so that elderly patients can avoid going to emergency
facilities and risk potential exposure.
