Just coming on the heels of SF's leaders that were starting to evict the homeless from hotels, this new update is featured in USA Today:
Federal government extends coverage of 100% of states' emergency COVID-19 costs
WASHINGTON – As the coronavirus fills hospitals, the Biden administration will fully reimburse states for some COVID-19 emergency response costs through the end of the year, USA TODAY learned.
Administration officials will announce the extension during their weekly call with governors, according to a White House official who spoke on the condition of anonymity.
The covered services include emergency medical care, vaccination operations and housing at-risk populations such as the homeless.
“We're going to continue to take a look at conditions, as we go forward, and make decisions like this one, based on their needs,” Charlie Anderson, the economic and budget policy director for the administration’s COVID-19 response team. “There are a lot of folks on the frontlines doing everything they can, including state governments … And it is critical to continue to be a strong partner in those efforts given what they're dealing with.”
President Joe Biden’s original order, which he issued on his second day in office, directed the Federal Emergency Management Agency to pay for 100% of eligible costs through September. States usually cover 25% of emergency services.
Biden will also extend his directive that the federal government pay the full cost for mobilizing National Guard personnel who are supporting COVID-19 response efforts.
Biden criticized the Trump administration for making states pay a share of the cost. Soon after the November election, Biden promised to change that.
The extension, however, is a reflection that the pandemic is not under control. Cases are on the rise in most states, a surge driven by the highly contagious delta variant. The surge is particularly strong in Southern states with low vaccination rates.
Texas Gov. Greg Abbott announced last week that the state was bringing in 2,500 nurses from across the U.S. to help staff overwhelmed hospitals. Before that announcement, the state had encouraged local governments and providers to use funds from a $1.9 trillion American Rescue Plan package to address staffing needs.
The plan included the funding that is making possible the extension of full reimbursement for emergency services.
Newsom pushed for funding extension
California Gov. Gavin Newsom is among the governors who urged the administration to continue to cover the costs, which is critical to the state’s ability to continue a program that has provided shelter to more than 42,000 homeless people during the pandemic.
Begun in March 2020, “Project Roomkey” has provided hotel rooms and meals to the homeless. That has both prevented the spread of COVID-19 among a population with health vulnerabilities as well eased the pressure on hospitals, according to the state.
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