White House Plan To Provide Testing Kits to Schools

(from the White House and Bolton) The Biden Administration announced today that it will increase the number of COVID-19 tests available to schools by 10 million per month, double what was available in November 2021. The additional tests will help schools safely remain open and implement screening testing and test to stay programs. The new program includes:

• Sending 5 Million No-Cost Point-of-Care Tests Per Month to Schools. 
• Providing 5 Million Additional Lab-Based PCR Tests for Free to Schools Per Month.
• Deploying Federal Surge Testing Units to Support Free Testing Access for Students, School Staff, and Families at Community Testing Sites.
• Connecting Schools with COVID-19 Testing Providers to Set Up School Testing Programs using American Rescue Plan Funds. 
• New Training, Resources, and Materials for Implementing Test to Stay in Schools. 

The Biden Administration also has provided FAQs in response to the Biden Administration’s directive to issue guidance requiring group health care plans and insurers to provide coverage of over-the-counter (OTC) in-home COVID-19 diagnostic tests. Beginning January 15, 2022, group health care plans, including fully-insured and self-insured plans, and individual insurance policies will be required to cover the cost of OTC in-home COVID-19 testing without any cost sharing or requirements that participants obtain authorization for the tests. 

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Schools that are interested in learning more about the funds that are being offered to schools can find information on the CDC's website and in their FAQ on the program.

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