Missouri officials concerned about halted COVID-19 aid to test, treat uninsured

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

Missouri officials are voicing their concern after the government stopped aid to the Uninsured Program.

The program was halted after funding requests stalled in Congress. Democrats would also need 10 Republican votes to approve the money and avoid a filibuster.

The U.S. Health Resources and Service Administration (HRSA), the agency that runs the program, said it receives about 1 million claims a day. HRSA has reimbursed the care for millions of people during the pandemic.

The program pays out about $500 million a week in claims. More than 50,000 service providers have taken advantage of it.

Lisa Cox, Communications Director for the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services, spoke on the impact the move will have.

"I don't have an exact number, but this will really impact all of the local public health agencies, health centers/systems, clinics, long-term care facilities, etc. who provide these services throughout Missouri, said Cox. "These entities are partners in our antigen test program, so the fact that we continue to provide antigen tests to these providers from the state level is one way to offset some of these costs at the provider level. We will be continuing to strategize with our partners and available funding to ensure all Missourians are able to get the services they need."

While COVID-19 cases, hospitalizations, and deaths are down across much of the U.S., officials are concerned health officials would be unable to provide the number of certain treatments needed if cases were to increase.

Officials also cited testing as an additional concern, as local health agencies have struggled with providing adequate testing throughout the pandemic.

The Uninsured Program will stop accepting claims for COVID-19 vaccination on April 5 at 11:59 p.m., according to the HRSA's website.

The department stopped accepting claims for treatment and testing on Tuesday.