COVID isn’t over. Congressional funding for testing in Florida shouldn’t be either | Opinion

Funding for free COVID testing for low-income and uninsured Floridians through the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) has officially lapsed. For many communities in our state, a lack of access to free testing means they are at risk.

COVID testing is necessary in the continued fight against the virus and was key to ensuring Florida’s economy could remain open. Access to testing allowed local governments to track the virus, and effectively and efficiently treat patients.

COVID took a toll on many Americans. Hispanics, African Americans and other people of color faced substantially higher mortality rates in the first year of COVID compared to non-Hispanic white Americans, and for those who lived in rural communities, the impacts were even greater. Systemic issues in care coupled with a lack of insurance has put many Hispanic communities at risk.

In 2019, 13.2% of Florida’s population was not covered by a private or public health insurance compared to just 9.2% nationally. According to HHS, Hispanics have the highest uninsured rates of any racial or ethnic group within the United States. In 2019, more than 18% of the nation’s Hispanic population was not covered by health insurance, compared to approximately 6% of the non-Hispanic white population. According to Census estimates from 2019, 15.1%-20% of the population under 65 in South Florida was uninsured.

Miami-Dade County’s leaders have worked hard to make sure that there are testing sites available. In fact, Mayor Daniella Levine Cava has made it clear that free testing sites should continue and even partnered with a testing organization to ensure uninsured patients can still get COVID testing. This is a move in the right direction, but without funding from the federal government, this access won’t last forever.

The Florida State Hispanic Chamber of Commerce works hard to ensure the economic growth and development of Hispanic entrepreneurs around the state. We represent more than 604,000 Hispanic-owned businesses across the state that together contribute in excess of $90 billion to Florida’s economy each year. But as we care for our economic well-being, we must also ensure that we are caring for the health of our communities.

I urge leaders to include additional COVID funding in their next funding package. Our most vulnerable populations shouldn’t be left to deal with this virus and its impacts alone. COVID isn’t over, and the commitment our congressional leaders made to keep Florida safe, healthy and economically thriving shouldn’t be, either.

Julio Fuentes is the president and CEO of the Florida State Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, which represents more than 604,000 Hispanic-owned businesses in Florida that contribute more than $90 billion to the state economy annually.

This story was originally published August 25, 2022 at 3:57 PM.