Summary
As the Biden-Harris Administration takes office this week, transforming the nation’s COVID-19 pandemic response is one of their top priorities, along with addressing the economic downturn, the climate crisis, and systemic racism. Over his first several days in office, President-elect Joe Biden is expected to sign a series of executive orders, including a national mask mandate on federal property and during interstate travel. Biden will take additional actions to address the reopening of schools and businesses through expanded testing, worker protections, and clear public health standards.
While the Trump-Pence Administration deferred responsibility for managing COVID-19 testing and vaccination to states, the incoming administration is expected to take a more hands-on approach. To help meet their “goal of 100 million shots by the end of our first 100 days,” the Biden-Harris administration will launch a national vaccination program, encourage states to allow more people to be vaccinated, including individuals 65 and older as well as frontline workers; and invoke the Defense Production Act to ensure sufficient supplies; among other actions outlined in their COVID-19 vaccination plan.
Securing the federal funding needed to fully operationalize such a response plan is likely to face some pushback on Capitol, as the $400 billion proposed by Biden to address COVID-19 (including $160 billion for the national vaccination program), is wrapped into a $1.9 trillion package, an overall price tag that is likely too great for Republicans. Biden’s “America Rescue Plan,” the first of a two-step legislative proposal, also includes measures to expand access to health coverage, including subsidizing COBRA coverage through September, increasing the value of advanced premium tax credits, and expanding those subsidies above the existing 400 percent of poverty threshold by capping health insurance premiums at 8.5 percent of income. Biden’s ability to earn bipartisan support for his expansive rescue plan will test his deal-making skills. If those efforts fail, we expect Democrats to turn to the reconciliation process to move policies that are eligible for that mechanism forward.