WASHINGTON (AP) — With an urgent request for funds locked in Congress, the Health Resources and Services Administration says it can no longer cover medical bills for COVID-19 testing and treatment of uninsured people and will stop receiving claims on Tuesday at midnight.
“The lack of funding for COVID-19 needs has real consequences,” said Martin Kramer, the agency's spokesman, in a statement. “We have initiated a methodical closure of the program.”
The Uninsured Program is one of the first victims of the impasse between Congress and the White House over the government's call for an additional $22.5 billion to address the disease. The program, initiated during the presidency of Donald Trump, reimburses hospitals, clinics, doctors and other providers of services for COVID-19 care in the uninsured, totaling some 28 million.
Kramer said that as of April 5, the program will stop accepting claims for vaccination expenses.
Cutting federal funds could create access problems for the uninsured, as well as consequences for the rest of society.
“COVID is a highly infectious disease, we want people who think they are sick to be tested and treated, not only for their health but also for the health of others,” said Larry Levitt, health policy expert at the Kaiser Family Foundation. “If uninsured people hesitate to take care of themselves because of the cost, we will see more cases and greater inequality.”