Florida awarded $53 million from HHS to fight coronavirus, with more to come
The Department of Health and Human Services awarded Florida an additional $53 million to health centers across the state to fight the coronavirus, and more money is likely on the way after President Donald Trump declared a national emergency.
The latest $53.4 million to Florida from the federal government will go to federally qualified healthcare centers in Florida, a designation that includes dozens of facilities in Miami-Dade County. Florida has already received $27 million from HHS to fight the coronavirus, though millions more is likely coming after Trump announced that $50 billion will be made available to state and local governments around the country to respond to the pandemic.
“These federal funds will provide critical resources to Florida’s health centers, which are integral in caring for patients, especially if our healthcare system becomes overwhelmed as a result of the coronavirus pandemic,” Florida Republican Sen. Marco Rubio said in a statement. “I am in close and regular contact with the Trump administration and Gov. [Ron] DeSantis to make certain Florida does not experience any shortage in medical equipment, critical care beds or ventilators in the event of a significant regional outbreak.”
The funding boost comes as House leaders and the White House agreed to a package of legislation related to the coronavirus. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin negotiated a package for the last 48 hours, which Pelosi announced Friday evening.
“This legislation is about testing, testing, testing,” Pelosi said in a statement. “To stop the spread of the virus, we have secured free coronavirus testing for everyone who needs a test, including the uninsured. We cannot fight coronavirus effectively unless everyone in our country who needs to be tested can get their test free of charge.”
Florida lawmakers, including Rubio, Republican Sen. Rick Scott and Democratic Reps. Donna Shalala and Debbie Wasserman Schultz are advocating for specific policies in response to the coronavirus.
Rubio is trying to expand 7(a) small business loans. Scott — in self-isolation for at least 11 days after interacting with an aide to Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro who tested positive for the coronavirus — wants the federal government to reimburse states for drive-thru coronavirus testing. Shalala wants to make coronavirus tests cost-free for anyone with employer-based insurance or an Obamacare plan, and Wasserman Schultz announced Friday she wants HHS to open a special enrollment period so people can enroll in Obamacare insurance plans during the pandemic.
Shalala’s plan was included in the House package. The package also includes two weeks of paid sick leave and up to three months of paid family and medical leave, along with increased food stamp benefits.
“While we work to make coronavirus testing free, fast and widely available, the Department of Health and Human Services must open the federal exchanges so more Americans have ample opportunity to get quality, affordable coverage,” Wasserman Schultz said in a statement. “I want all Floridians to be confident that they can access the healthcare services they need to protect themselves, their families and our communities.”
HHS has implemented additional open enrollment periods in limited geographic areas after natural disasters like Hurricanes Harvey and Dorian. Wasserman Schultz and more than 100 other members of Congress want a new nationwide enrollment period.
Scott also announced Friday that he wants the federal government to take the temperature of everyone boarding mass transit, including planes and trains. He also wants the government to take the temperature of every student before they enter school, and send home anyone with a temperature.
But whether the proposals from Florida Democrats and Republicans make it into any bill that becomes law is uncertain. The Republican-controlled U.S. Senate could advocate for changes.
The U.S. Senate also adjourned until Monday, meaning any agreement between Pelosi and Republicans will not be signed into law until Monday afternoon at the earliest.
“Through a very collective action and shared sacrifice, national determination, we will overcome the threat of the virus,” Trump said at a White House press conference.
This story was originally published March 13, 2020 at 5:17 PM.