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WASHINGTON – On the evening of March 13, U.S. Rep. Jeff Van Drew (R-2nd) voted to support an additional $8.3 billion funding supplemental bill to help prepare America for the Coronavirus pandemic.
According to a release, the bill includes:
- Free Coronavirus testing for every individuals deemed medically necessary.
- Paid emergency leave with two weeks of paid sick leave, and up to three months of paid family and medical leave.
- Increased Medicaid spending to support state, local, tribal and territorial governments to fight the virus.
- Ensuring the stability of nutritional assistance for SNAP recipients, students, seniors, and food banks.
In addition to the legislation, the Trump administration declared a national emergency and announced that testing kits and respiratory masks would be made available. The steps it will be taking include:
- $50 billion for states, territories, and localities to fight the disease.
- Drive-up testing for Coronavirus.
- Funding for development of rapid tests to detect Coronavirus
- The ability for the Department of Health and Human Services to give doctors, hospitals and health care providers the ability to provide tele-health to places in need.
“Finally, we have done what America expected of us. This legislation is a step towards making sure we are as prepared as a nation for this epidemic as we can be,” stated Van Drew. “While this is just the beginning of our response, we must remain vigilant and focused on defeating this virus. I will do everything in my power to ensure that happens.”
Indictments Filed Aug. 19
Police: Father Supplied Drugs to Son in Fatal Overdose
Prosecutor: Bust Found a More Dangerous Drug
