As federal COVID-19 treatment, vaccine funding ends, Nevada has been left to fill the gap
As federal COVID-19 funding ends, ahead of the COVID-19 pandemic actually being over, states have been left to fill the gaps on how to treat those diagnosed with COVID without bankrupting them.
Among programs being stripped, the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) COVID-19 Uninsured Program, which was established to reimburse health care providers for the costs of COVID testing and treatment, along with providing vaccines to those uninsured, recently got the axe due to a lack of funding.
The program stopped accepting reimbursement claims for testing and treatment services on March 22, and will stop accepting claims for vaccine administration on April 5.
The federal government also said ti does not have funding to purchase additional COVID-19 tests, treatments and vaccines once the current supplies run out, and that it does not have a sufficient supply for fourth doses of the vaccine, according to the Kaiser Family Foundation.
Without federal funding, many uninsured Americans who might find themselves hospitalized from COVID or who wish to receive an additional vaccine dose could be left in the cold.
According to Shannon Litz, Public Information Officer for the Nevada Department of Health and Human Services, Nevada has been working to ensure COVID-19 testing, treatment and vaccines is available for all Nevadans, and that there are many tools and resources in place to support local communities.
“This includes COVID-19 testing, vaccination, therapeutics and we continue to remind Nevadans of the mitigation measures of hand washing, masks and social distancing,” said Litz. “The State has allocated American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funding to support the availability of COVID-19 treatment options which is one of the nation’s most robust therapeutics programs to support those in need of these resources.”
Litz says the state has also focused efforts to make tests available for free in “convenient community locations” around Nevada, and that these tools are vital as the state moves forward with its COVID-19 response.
“Additionally, the State is working with payors to ensure their systems are ready to receive billing from providers,” said Litz. “The State is looking at options and opportunities to help Nevadans through this transition and Nevadans who are uninsured are encouraged to apply for Medicaid through AccessNevada.dwss.nv.gov.”
According to Litz, ARPA funds will remain in place through 2026.
“This is one-time federal funding intended to assist states in their recovery and supplement current efforts such as testing, treatment and vaccination,” said Litz.
As far as receiving fourth doses of the vaccine, while the FDA cleared a second booster dose for older and immunocompromised individuals earlier this week, Carson City Health and Human Services has not yet received notice from the CDC on administering an additional booster.
“At this time we are still awaiting the CDC’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) recommendation for the booster and then we have to wait until the State of Nevada sends out the updated guidance,” said Jessica Rapp of CCHHS. “We do not know the details yet since the ACIP is the one that makes the ultimate recommendation. We will be sure to let everyone know once we are able to move forward.”
In Carson City, cases are significantly down from the all-time largest spike in cases that occurred in January; at its peak, there were over 200 new cases being reported every day. The highest in March was reported at 28 new cases per day, and test positivity has dropped to only 9 percent, down from the over 40 percent rate in January.
For those who wish to become vaccinated and are uninsured, it might be prudent to receive a vaccine prior to April 5 in order to receive it for free.
For more information on how to become vaccinated, and information regarding COVID-19, please visit https://www.gethealthycarsoncity.org.