The Biden administration is expected to signal this week whether it’s ready to end the COVID-19 public health emergency — which would affect a host of health care policies, including vaccines for kids.
Why it matters: Ending the emergency would allow a president who campaigned on ending the pandemic to declare victory over the virus. But the complex series of policy changes — and the continued threat of more COVID waves — could leave the government ill-prepared for whatever comes next.
What they’re saying: The public is eager to put COVID in the rearview and generally unwilling to give Biden much credit for the recovery. Extending a state of emergency in that kind of climate could almost be seen as an admission of failure.
- But hospitals, physician groups and advocacy organizations like AARP say keeping the emergency status is essential to maintain flexibility in the health care system as new variants emerge and the effectiveness of currently available vaccines wanes.
- A decision to end the emergency “will be based on political considerations and not likely the consensus of the scientific community inside and outside of the administration,” Raymond James analyst Chris Meekins wrote in a recent report.
Between the lines: Congress stalling on emergency COVID funds to secure additional boosters for the fall only adds further complication.
Yes, but: The administration still could go halfway and undo selected policies it thinks aren’t necessary while keeping others.