Biden unveils $1.9 trillion COVID-19 relief plan with provisions affecting hospitals and health systems
President-elect Biden last night unveiled plans for a roughly $1.9 trillion COVID-19 relief package, which includes a number of provisions that affect hospitals and health systems. Biden hopes that Congress will consider the legislation soon after he is inaugurated next week.
It is unclear at this time if it will gain bipartisan support.
Provisions to bolster the nation’s COVID-19 health care response include additional resources for vaccines, treatment, personal protective equipment, testing, contact tracing and workforce development.
Other health care-related provisions would expand subsidies for certain forms of health care coverage and create new occupational safety standards that would apply to a wide range of workers.
See the AHA Special Bulletin for a summary of provisions important to hospitals and health systems.
In a statement shared with the media, AHA President and CEO Rick Pollack said, “America’s hospitals and health systems, and our heroic front-line caregivers, applaud President-elect Biden’s focus and broad approach in bringing the COVID-19 pandemic to an end. We both share this as among the highest priorities for the nation. We continue to call for increased federal leadership, support and resources to combat this virus that has devastated countless families and communities and this plan makes important strides in these directions.”