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US COVID-19 Testing Costs Covered By 2nd Coronavirus Response Act; Third $1Tn Relief Bill Coming

 
• By Sue Darcey

The US Congress wrapped up work on 18 March on a second COVID-19 preparedness bill to cover costs of testing uninsured individuals, military beneficiaries and other outbreak responses. A planned third COVID-19 relief package would dole out $1tn to agencies and device makers.

A set of yellow test tubes on a blue background, medical research costs

The Families First bill passed by Congress and signed into law on 18 March includes $1bn for the National Disaster Medical System (NDMS) to reimburse uninsured patients for the costs of COVID-19 testing. The bill is the second of three total expected coronavirus response and relief packages.

The bill also addresses health programs, insurance coverage requirements, and related tax credits during the COVID-19 public health emergency.

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