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Today, Secretary Xavier Becerra and leaders across the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) released the following statements celebrating the one-year anniversary of President Joe Biden’s enactment of the American Rescue Plan on March 11, 2021:
Secretary Xavier Becerra: “President Biden’s American Rescue Plan has been a game-changer, fueling our work to build our nation back healthier. The funding has helped advance our top priorities: tackling the COVID-19 pandemic, expanding health care access, reducing health care costs, closing health disparities, and strengthening behavioral health. This law, and the investments made by HHS, make one thing clear: the Biden-Harris Administration is delivering on its promise to build a healthier America. Today, we celebrate all the American Rescue Plan has made possible over the past year, and restate our unwavering commitment to promoting the health and well-being of all Americans.”
Administration for Children and Families Acting Assistant Secretary Jennifer Cannistra: “The American Rescue Plan is a ‘once in a generation’ opportunity to lift children, youth, families, and individuals from poverty and create supportive environments where they can collectively thrive. Our goal at ACF is to help communities use their ARP funds in bold and innovative ways to meet their unique needs.”
Administration for Community Living Principal Deputy Administrator Alison Barkoff: “The American Rescue Plan provided more than $1.4 billion to help older adults, particularly those in underserved communities, recover from the pandemic. With this funding, the aging services network in every state is providing home-delivered meals and in-home supportive services, assisting family caregivers, and much more. It also provided funding to expand the public health workforce within the aging and disability networks to continue to fight COVID-19 and to provide critical services like helping people move from high-risk congregate settings to homes in the community. This represents a crucial investment in supporting the health and well-being of older adults and people with disabilities, who continue to face significantly increased risks from COVID-19.”
Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services Administrator Chiquita Brooks-LaSure: “The American Rescue Plan expanded access to affordable coverage, bringing peace of mind to millions of individuals and families. The historic bill also expanded home- and community-based care for seniors and people with disabilities, and beginning in April, states will have the option to expand postpartum Medicaid coverage for a full year, up from just 60 days. These important steps will expand access to care at critical times in many people’s lives, while giving them the flexibility to live safely and independently in their homes and communities.”
Health Resources and Services Administration Administrator Carole Johnson: “Thanks to the American Rescue Plan, HRSA has led the way in providing access to essential health care and services to underserved and rural populations across the country. From supporting health centers on the front lines of the COVID-19 pandemic to bolstering rural hospitals and clinics’ COVID response to building trusted messengers to increase vaccination and growing the health workforce, HRSA has been able to use the American Rescue Plan to support critical needs across this country this year.”
Indian Health Service Acting Deputy Director Elizabeth Fowler: “The American Rescue Plan Act appropriated a historic $6 billion to the IHS for expanded health care services, lost third party revenue, and pandemic related activities such as delivering vaccines and tests to prevent the spread of COVID-19. This investment also strengthened the public health workforce in Indian Country, supported mental health and substance abuse prevention and treatment and helped us meet facility and equipment needs related to the pandemic. These resources have made a powerful impact in American Indian and Alaska Native communities. We are grateful for these critical resources and will continue to support IHS, tribal, and urban Indian organizations in implementing these funds.”
Some highlights of major HHS investments made possible by the American Rescue Plan over the past year are:
Tackling the COVID-19 pandemic
Expanding Access to Care and Reducing Health Care Costs
Investing in rural health
Investing in tribal health
Investing in the health care workforce
Investing in behavioral health
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