Trump approves $8.3 billion in funds to combat coronavirus
Law provides health agencies with money for vaccines, tests and treatments, helps state governments prepare and respond to the threat; passengers on cruise ship await test results; Peru reports first case
President Donald Trump on Friday signed an $8.3 billion measure to help tackle the coronavirus outbreak that has killed 12 people in the US and infected more than 200.
The legislation provides federal public health agencies with money for vaccines, tests and potential treatments and helps state and local governments prepare and respond to the threat. The rapid spread of the virus has rocked financial markets, interrupted travel and threatens to affect everyday life in the United States.
Trump had planned to sign the bill during a visit to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in Atlanta.
But he told reporters on Friday that concerns were raised about “one person who was potentially infected” who worked at the CDC.
Trump said the person has since tested negative for the new virus and that he still hopes to visit the agency at some point.
Separately, President Martin Vizcarra said on Friday Peru has detected its first case of the new coronavirus in a 25-year-old man who had travelled to Europe.
The president called for calm and said Peru had taken “all the medical measures” to treat the patient, who had been in Spain, France and the Czech Republic and was in a stable condition.
Meanwhile, passengers and crew on a giant cruise ship being held off the coast of San Francisco were on Friday waiting on the results of tests to determine if any of the 3,500 people on board have the new coronavirus.
The Senate passed the $8.3 billion measure on Thursday to help tackle the outbreak in hopes of reassuring a fearful public and accelerating the government’s response to the virus.
The money would pay for a multifaceted attack on a virus that is spreading more widely every day, sending financial markets spiraling again on Thursday, disrupting travel and potentially threatening the US economy’s decade-long expansion.
Thursday’s sweeping 96-1 vote sends the bill to the White House for President Donald Trump’s signature. Health and Human Services Secretary Alex Azar would have the power to make sure commercial prices are reasonable.
Senator Rand Paul, Republican-kentucky, cast the sole “no” vote. The House passed the bill on Wednesday by a 415-2 vote.
The plan would more than triple the $2.5 billion amount outlined by the White House 10 days ago. The Trump proposal was immediately discarded by members of Congress from both parties.
Instead, the bipartisan leadership of the House and Senate Appropriations committees negotiated the increased figure and other provisions of the legislation in a burst of bipartisan cooperation that’s common on the panel but increasingly rare elsewhere in Washington.
“In situations like this, I believe no expense should be spared to protect the American people, and in crafting this package none was,” said Appropriations Committee Chairman Richard Shelby, Republican-alaska.
“It’s an aggressive plan, a vigorous plan that has received an overwhelming positive reaction.”
Trump was sure to sign the measure, which has almost universal support.
It is intended to project confidence and calm as anxiety builds over the impact of the virus, which has claimed 12 lives in the US
“The American people are looking for leadership and want assurance that their government is up to the task of protecting their health and safety,” said Senator Patrick Leahy, DemocratVermont. The legislation would provide federal public health agencies money for vaccines, tests and potential treatments, including $300 million to deliver such drugs to those who need it.
More than $2 billion would go to help federal, state and local governments prepare for and respond to the coronavirus threat. An additional $1.3 billion would be used to help fight the virus overseas. There’s also funding to subsidise $7 billion in small business loans.
Other dollars would be directed to help local officials prepare for the potential worsening of the outbreak and subsidise treatment by community health centres. Medicare rules would be loosened to enable remote “telehealth” consultations whereby sick people could to get treatment without visiting a doctor.