You Can Now Get Free COVID-19 Tests Through the Government Again
TimeAPR 2 2023
The Spin
Republican narrative
Biden said the pandemic was over so mailing test kits is odd messaging. Providing additional funding for COVID is not a high priority for the House and is frankly off the table. The focus of Republican lawmakers is going to be on a long-term spending bill for the federal government and more important priorities.
Democratic narrative
The Biden admin has been very clear that funds are urgently needed to support COVID response efforts. Inaction will force harmful trade-offs to ensure American safety. The consequences of not increasing the funding will compound over time, and if the US fails to appropriately prepare, an untimely surge will increase the overall burden on taxpayers.
Cynical narrative
It's important to remember the origin of the Biden administration's policy to mail at-home COVID tests to Americans — former press secretary Jen Psaki's public relations gaffe to sneer at the very concept. An avalanche of outrage followed, and it's a reminder that this move was prompted by a public who rightly demanded better access to health tools as a public good.