• Healthcare

On May 11th, President Biden will Bring an End to the COVID-19-Related Emergencies

February 07, 2023

Biden’s Announcement to Conclude COVID-19 Emergencies

On January 30th, 2023, President Joe Biden made an announcement to Congress that the dual national emergencies concerning COVID-19 would be brought to a close on May 11th. As much of the world has returned to some form of normalcy, this shift will enable a more structured federal response in managing coronavirus which is now seen as an ever-present hazard to general health – organized through standard authorities.

 

Redefining Federal Response

Ending the national and public health emergency declarations denotes a restructuring of the federal approach to the coronavirus. It transitions the virus from a pandemic-level threat to an endemic health concern, manageable through normal agency authorities.

 

Consequences of Concluding the Emergencies

The cessation of the emergencies has multiple implications. Notably, it alters the development and distribution of vaccines and treatments, moving these from direct federal management. Further, the cessation coincides with the wind down of a majority of federal COVID-19 relief funding.

 

Opposition and Investigation

President Biden’s decision opposes House Republicans’ proposed resolutions aiming for an immediate cessation of the emergency. Meanwhile, these Republicans are preparing to scrutinize the federal government’s response to the pandemic.

Health and Human Services Secretary Alex Azar, was the first to declare a public health emergency in January 2020. He later escalated the situation to a national emergency in March of the same year. Biden has consistently extended these emergencies since taking office in January 2021.

 

Potential Chaos

Abrupt termination of the emergencies could lead to substantial chaos and uncertainty within the healthcare system, impacting states, hospitals, doctors’ offices, and most crucially, tens of millions of Americans, according to the Office of Management and Budget who may lose access to healthcare.

 

Impact of the Emergencies

The public health emergency had a significant direct effect on Americans. Over 1.1 million people in the U.S. have succumbed to COVID-19 since 2020 with thousands dying each week. 

 

Shifts in Vaccines and Testing

Biden’s administration’s request for billions more dollars to continue free COVID-19 vaccines and testing has been denied by lawmakers. With the emergency’s end, the cost of vaccines is projected to increase significantly. More out-of-pocket expenses for vaccines could rise for individuals with private insurance, especially if they utilize out-of-network providers.

 

The Transition Period

Over the next three months, the administration will transition the response to conventional methods. They warn that an immediate cessation of the emergency authorities would lead to confusion and disorder during this crucial wind-down.

 

Looking Ahead

Though case counts have trended downward after a minor bump during the winter holidays, the World Health Organization maintains that the coronavirus remains a global health emergency. However, an “inflexion point” may soon arrive, where increased immunity levels can reduce virus-related fatalities.