VP Kamala Harris Announces Plan To Invest $1.5 Billion In Underserved Communities
The Biden-Harris administration is investing $1.5 billion from the coronavirus relief law, which was signed back in March, into the healthcare industry to help support underserved communities
The White House said in an announcement, “These awards are supporting the National Health Service Corps, Nurse Corps, and Substance Use Disorder Treatment and Recovery programs. These programs address workforce shortages and health disparities by providing scholarship and loan repayment funding for health care students and professionals, in exchange for a service commitment in hard-hit and high-risk communities.”
The statement continued, “Thanks to the American Rescue Plan, this funding will support over 22,700 providers—the largest field strength in history for these programs and a record number of skilled doctors, dentists, nurses, and behavioral health providers committed to working in underserved communities during a moment when we need them the most.”
Harris also said on Nov. 22, “Health disparities existed long before this virus reached our shores. Health disparities stem from broader, systemic inequities. Our nation must invest in a healthcare workforce that looks like America and provide access to equitable healthcare for all Americans.”
Additionally, Harris advocated for President Joe Biden's nearly $2 trillion social safety net and climate change package, which would provide funding to temporarily close the Medicaid coverage gap and expand access to health insurance marketplace subsidies through 2025.
The Kaiser Family Foundation reported non-white Americans saw higher numbers of coronavirus cases and higher rates of death than whites.
The investment was a recommendation from the White House COVID-19 Health Equity Task Force. Additionally, the announcement comes after the administration allocated $785 million into programs and organizations that help build public trust in the COVID-19 vaccines.
