TRIO PUBLIC POLICY REPORT – December 2022
THE ADMINISTRATION FOR PREPAREDNESS AND RESPONSE (ASPR)
ASPR (https://aspr.hhs.gov/Pages/Home.aspx) is a section of the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). ASPR leads the nation’s medical and public health preparedness for, response to, and recovery from disasters and public health emergencies. ASPR collaborates with territorial governments, and other partners across the country to improve readiness and response capabilities.
ASPR has been holding regular meetings with its stakeholders during COVID to track the disease as well as the development and availability of treatment, including vaccines, monoclonal antibodies, and anti-virals. At its meeting last week, ASPR published a very useful chart explaining COVID Preventative Agents and Treatments.
Please contact Ike Copperman, [email protected], if you would like a copy of this chart.
WHY YOU MAY SOON HAVE TO PAY FOR THAT COVID 19 TEST
The following information is from the Hill Health Care Newsletter, 11/4/2022.
The federal government is poised to stop paying for COVID-19 vaccines, tests and treatments in the coming months, shifting the costs from taxpayers onto individual patients.
Experts say most Americans are not aware that this will happen and will be in for a
major case of sticker shock. They warn without additional protections or funding,
the transition to commercialized treatments and preventive services will lead to
health barriers.
Instead of free access to tests and treatments like Paxlovid, insurance companies and
manufacturers will set the price. The days of free, easily accessible COVID-19 tests will also likely end. Private insurance may not cover over-the-counter tests anymore, and patients may need a prescription first for a PCR test.
Vaccines will still be free to people with private insurance, though the cost will likely be reflected in premiums. Even with insurance, patients will likely see costs if they go to an out-of-network provider.
But the biggest impact will be on uninsured or underinsured Americans, many of whom have jobs that put them at greater risk of COVID-19 exposure. See more on our advocacy tab
