On March 11, President Biden signed the COVID-19 economic relief bill, the American Rescue Plan, into law following a final House vote along party lines on March 10. The $1.9 trillion package includes funding to extend unemployment insurance benefits, economic stimulus payments and funds for school re-openings, COVID-19 vaccine distribution, and health coverage. The final law includes the following health-related provisions:

• $14 billion for COVID-19 vaccine distribution, including $8.5 billion for the CDC
• $49 billion for COVID-19 testing, contact tracing and genomic sequencing
• $7.6 billion to strengthen the public health workforce
• $11 billion for additional public health support including expansion of community health centers
• $10 billion for PPE and other medical supplies
• $2.5 billion for the Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority (BARDA) for vaccine and supplies procurement
• $35 billion to increase Affordable Care Act (ACA) insurance coverage subsidies
• Increase in federal Medicaid funding for states that adopt the ACA Medicaid expansion
• Six-month federal subsidy for individuals with job loss or reduced hours due to COVID providing 100 percent of COBRA health insurance premiums
• $14.4 billion for veteran’s health including expansion of telehealth, personal protective equipment and vaccine distribution
• Extension and expansion of pad sick leave tax credits through Sept.30, 2021
• $8.5 billion for rural health providers
• $100 for the EPA to update national air quality monitoring system and reduce air and toxic pollution linked with contributing to COVID-19 deaths, with $50 million targeted to low-income communities and communities of color
• $3.5 billion for the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, TB and malaria COVID-19 response
• Continuation of U.S. annual dues to the WHO (stopped under the Trump administration).