U.S. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell announced Friday afternoon that Kentucky will receive at least $7 million to help fight the new coronavirus (COVID-19). The funding included in the supplemental appropriations bill will be provided to state officials who will determine how the resources will be distributed. President Donald Trump signed the bill Friday and each state will receive no less than $4 million.
According to Senator McConnell, the total funding included in the bill is nearly $8.3 billion — $7.8 billion to provide targeted supplemental resources for a serious national fight against the coronavirus and $500 million for a telehealth provision. The majority of the supplemental federal resources will be directed to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, including billions of dollars in funding for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and its Infectious Diseases Rapid Response Fund.
Senator McConnell says the legislation also directs surge resources to the Food and Drug Administration and the National Institutes of Health. It provides billions to replenish medical supply stockpiles, to ensure incentives remain for the development of future vaccines, therapeutics, and diagnostics that can be accessible to Americans, and an additional $100 million to support community health centers. McConnell indicates it also waives certain telehealth requirements in Medicare during the coronavirus public health emergency to help ensure seniors can receive the care they need at home to avoid placing themselves at greater risk of the coronavirus. In addition, McConnell says the bill bolsters the Small Business Administration to help soften the blow on workers and job creators.
