The new funding is a slice of Biden’s $1.9 trillion American Rescue Plan approved in March. The economic stimulus package has helped spur a surge in enrollment in Affordable Care Act plans during a special signup period now underway and also provides relief for rural hospitals hit hard by the pandemic, Medicaid expansion incentives for states, and coverage of COBRA premiums for unemployed workers.
HHS’ announcement of additional money for COVID-19 tests for uninsured individuals is part of the administration’s broader strategy to increase testing, alongside vaccinations, as a preventive tool for curbing the spread of the virus.
