Biden intends to end Covid-19 and public health emergencies on May 11

[BumRushDaShow]

Last edited Mon Jan 30, 2023, 08:43 PM - Edit history (1)

Source: CNN Politics

CNN — President Joe Biden intends to end the Covid-19 national and public health emergencies on May 11, the White House said Monday. The White House, in a statement of administration policy announcing opposition to two Republican measures to end the emergencies, said the national emergency and public health emergency authorities declared in response to the pandemic would each be extended one final time to May 11.

“This wind down would align with the Administration’s previous commitments to give at least 60 days’ notice prior to termination of the (public health emergency),” the statement said. The statement added, “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. 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.”

The statement came in response to a pair of measures before the House that would end the public health emergency and the Covid-19 national emergency. The administration argues that the bills are unnecessary because it intends to end the emergencies anyway.

The White House also noted the passage of the measures ahead of May 11 would have unintended consequences, such as disrupting the administration’s plans for ending certain policies that are authorized by the emergencies. The White House said it would extend the Covid-19 emergencies one final time in order to ensure an orderly wind-down of key authorities that states, health care providers and patients have relied on throughout the pandemic.

Read more: https://www.cnn.com/2023/01/30/politics/may-11-end-of-covid-and-public-health-emergencies

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Article updated.

Original article -

CNN — President Joe Biden intends to end the Covid-19 national and public health emergencies on May 11, the White House said Monday. The White House, in a statement of administration policy announcing opposition to two Republican measures to end the emergencies, said the national emergency and public health emergency authorities declared in response to the pandemic would each be extended one final time to May 11.

“This wind down would align with the Administration’s previous commitments to give at least 60 days’ notice prior to termination of the (public health emergency),” the statement said.

The statement added, “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. 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.”

The White House issued the statement in response to a pair of measures in front of the House that would end the public health emergency and the Covid-19 national emergency. The administration argues that the bills are unnecessary because it intends to end the emergencies anyway.

[niyad]

1. Does that mean that the extra food stamp benefits will continue until then?

[Autumn]

2. I saw a post that said that had ended already.

[Tree-Hugger]

4. It has already ended

I think the last extra payment is either this month or February. It's been so damn confusing, but they did announce that it was ending.

[niyad]

8. Thank you. I just checked it out. The last payment will be in February.

[orleans]

3. so i guess the pandemic will be over then, right? nt

[Peregrine Took]

5. We are still going to wear our KN 95 masks indoors. n/t

[progree]

6. Going going gone... free covid tests and vaccines, certain treatments, additional funding for ...

hospitals...

The public health emergency has enabled the government to provide many Americans with Covid-19 tests, treatments and vaccines at no charge, as well as offer enhanced social safety net benefits, to help the nation cope with the pandemic and minimize its impact.

For instance, it has allowed most Americans covered by Medicare, Medicaid and private insurance plans to obtain Covid-19 tests and vaccines at no cost during the pandemic. Medicare and Medicaid beneficiaries have also had certain therapeutic treatments, such as monoclonal antibodies, fully covered. Once the public health emergency ends, many Americans will have to start paying for these items.

However, the federal government has been preparing to shift Covid-19 care to the commercial market since last year, in part because Congress has not authorized additional funding to purchase additional vaccines, treatments and tests.

The public health emergency has also meant additional funds for hospitals, which have been receiving a 20% increase in Medicare’s payment rate for treating Covid-19 patients.

But several of the most meaningful enhancements to public assistance programs are no longer tied to the public health emergency. Congress severed the connection in December as part of its fiscal year 2023 government funding package.

e.g. kicking people off of Medicaid and ending extra food stamp benefits (more about that in the OP article)

[BumRushDaShow]

7. I did get 4 more free tests literally delivered today

I expect that when it comes to the vaccines, tests, and therapeutics, since there seems to have been a major drop off in interest/use, that might allow the existing funding to be stretched out longer than expected until the funds are expended.

[PSPS]

9. Is the virus on the distribution list? I don't think it knows it has been wished out of existence

[flamingdem]

10. Still averaging 400 deaths a day

I don't think so..