WASHINGTON, DC – The White House plans to end its Covid emergency declarations on May 11, the White House announced on Monday that the Biden administration believes the pandemic is over.
The announcement was a formal statement of opposition to two Republican bills that would have immediately ended a national emergency and a public health emergency enacted for the first time under the Trump administration, which quickly opened up federal money and resources to cities. and states responding to the pandemic. The Democratic-led Senate is unlikely to vote on the legislation.
May 11 will mark more than three years since the US has been under a pandemic-related state of emergency. Former President Donald Trump declared a national emergency on March 13, 2020, which was retroactive to March 1, 2020.
The White House said the proposed Republican legislation would “create chaos and uncertainty throughout the health care system — for states, hospitals, doctors’ offices and millions of Americans.” It would also lead to an abrupt end to the pandemic-era Title 42 that prevented undocumented immigrants from crossing the US-Mexico border amid public health concerns. The White House noted that the policy is subject to a US Supreme Court case and is committed to gradually phasing out the program.
A public health emergency provided funding and resources from the Department of Health and Human Services to state and public health systems and hospitals, while a national emergency to shore up the nation’s economy. Assisted FEMA and the Pentagon in the deployment of medical supplies and vaccines, as well as multi-agency actions.
The Centers for Disease Control reported 3,756 new deaths from Covid-19 last week and 3,726 hospitalizations during the same period. More than 1.1 million Americans have died from the disease, according to the CDC.
English Summary: Biden administration to end Covid health emergency declarations in May