Congressman Panetta Votes for Bipartisan Bill to Provides Critical Funding to Combat the Coronavirus

Press Release

Today, Congressman Jimmy Panetta (D-Carmel Valley) voted for an emergency supplemental appropriations bill to address the coronavirus outbreak. The bill includes funding for testing, vaccine development, treatments, and support for state and local preparedness. The legislation passed on a 415-2 vote.

Among its provisions, the emergency supplemental includes:

More than $3 billion for research and development of vaccines, therapeutics, and diagnostics;
$2.2 billion in public health funding for prevention, preparedness, and response, $950 million of which is to support state & local health agencies;
Nearly $1 billion for procurement of pharmaceuticals and medical supplies, to support healthcare preparedness and Community Health Centers, and to improve medical surge capacity;
$435 million to support health systems overseas to prevent, prepare, and respond to the coronavirus;
$300 million to respond to humanitarian needs;
$61 million to facilitate the development and review of medical countermeasures, devices, therapies, and vaccines, and to help mitigate potential supply chain interruptions; and
Allows for an estimated $7 billion in low-interest loans to affected small businesses.
The emergency supplemental also contains other strong provisions to ensure a full response and keep Americans safe. The bill:

Requires that funds are only used to fight the coronavirus and other infectious diseases;
Allows seniors to access telemedicine services for coronavirus treatment;
Helps ensure that vaccines and treatments for coronavirus are affordable; and
Ensures that state and local governments are reimbursed for costs incurred while assisting the federal response.
Additionally, the bill includes a requirement to reimburse $136 million to important health accounts, including mental health and substance abuse treatment and prevention and heating and cooling assistance for low-income families, that was transferred by the Trump administration to support its response.

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