Biden to End Covid-19 Emergencies on May 11th – Impact on Testing and Treatment Costs
The White House announced Monday that President Joe Biden intends to end the Covid-19 national and public health emergencies on May 11.[0] This means that many Americans could have to start paying for Covid-19 testing and treatment after the declarations cease.[0]
In a statement of administration policy opposing two House GOP bills to terminate the emergencies, the White House declared that the national emergency and public health emergency resulting from the pandemic will be extended one more time, this time to May 11.
“To be clear, continuation of these emergency declarations until May 11 does not impose any restriction at all on individual conduct with regard to COVID-19,” the OMB said in its statement.[1] “They do not impose mask mandates or vaccine mandates. They do not restrict school or business operations. They do not require the use of any medicines or tests in response to cases of COVID-19.”[1]
The White House declared that it would prolong the Covid-19 emergencies one last time in order to guarantee a smooth transition of essential powers that states, health care providers, and patients have availed of during the pandemic.
Opposition to two GOP bills set to be voted on in the House this week, which would terminate the national emergency and public health emergency first declared during the Trump administration, was expressed in a formal statement. These emergencies enabled cities and states to access federal funds and resources in response to the pandemic.[2]
On May 11, the public-health emergency will be terminated, and consequently, the use of Title 42, which has been a key part of President Biden's strategy on the southern border, will be discontinued.[3] Lawyers in the Administration believe that, even with the Supreme Court case pending, the border policy must be terminated since the foundation of it has been removed.[3]
Thanks to the public health emergency, the government has been able to offer Covid-19 tests, treatments and vaccines for free, as well as enhanced social safety net benefits, in order to help manage the pandemic and reduce its effects on the nation.
During the pandemic, those with Medicare, Medicaid, or private insurance plans in the United States have had the opportunity to get Covid-19 tests and vaccines at no cost.
House Democrats were reportedly concerned about voting on the Republican legislation to put an end to the public health emergency that will be debated on the floor this week, and this prompted the White House to intervene, as per a senior Democratic aide who spoke to CNN.[0]
0. “Biden intends to end Covid-19 and public health emergencies on May 11” KoamNewsNow.com, 30 Jan. 2023, https://www.koamnewsnow.com/news/national-politics/biden-intends-to-end-covid-19-and-public-health-emergencies-on-may-11/article_1b0ee37f-9bdb-5beb-849d-9ee3969fce52.html
1. “Biden administration plans to end COVID public health emergency in May” The Hill, 30 Jan. 2023, https://thehill.com/policy/healthcare/3836604-biden-administration-plans-to-end-covid-public-health-emergency-in-may/
2. “Biden administration plans to end COVID-19 emergency declarations May 11” CBS News, 30 Jan. 2023, https://www.cbsnews.com/news/biden-to-end-covid-19-emergency-declarations-may-11/
3. “Joe Biden to End Covid-19 Emergency Declarations on May 11, White House Says” The Wall Street Journal, 30 Jan. 2023, https://www.wsj.com/articles/biden-to-end-covid-19-emergency-declarations-on-may-11-white-house-says-11675120593
