COVID Costs Could Be Passed Down to Consumers

By Consumers for Quality Care, on September 6, 2022

The U.S. plans to shift costs for COVID vaccines and treatments back to health insurers, costs that could eventually make their way down to consumers, according to Axios.

White House COVID-19 response coordinator Ashish Jha said the Biden administration will stop buying vaccines, treatments, and tests, perhaps as early as this fall.

“We’ve known at some point we’d need to move over into the commercial market, and we’re approaching that time now,” said Dawn O’Connell, Assistant Secretary at the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) for Preparedness and Response.

Should the Biden administration decide to cease covering COVID-related expenses, it could impact consumers who may not be able to afford treatment from seeking the care they need.

CQC urges the Biden administration, lawmakers and providers to work together to ensure that all consumers are able to reasonably and equitably access virus testing, treatment and vaccines.