President Joseph Biden recently published an Executive Order on the establishment of a Testing Board and the provision of a sustainable Public Health Workforce, regarding the current pandemic and future biological threats.

HIS POLICY:

  • Enhance laboratory testing capacity and expand the public health workforce
  • Expand the supply of tests as well as bringing test manufacturing to the United States
  • Support screening testing for schools and priority populations  such as children, elderly, low income, racial/ethnic minorities, etc.
  • Ensure the public understand the use of tests conducted to include insurance coverage

 

SO, WHAT IS THE PURPOSE OF THE TESTING BOARD? These will be different agencies and departments that will basically ensure that all COVID-19 diagnostics, screening and surveillance will happen. They will essentially identify barriers to access and or use of testing, ensure increased testing for those priority populations, healthcare workers, and other essential workers. They will also provide feedback and recommendations to the President on expanding the testing and any inequalities that may be found.

 

But, increased testing doesn't stop there - testing will be free for those without health insurance and testing will also include the following:

  • Long-term care facilities, correctional, immigration and detention facilities
  • Child care settings, high risk groups such as the homelessness, migrants and seasonal workers
  • Food processing as well as manufacturing facilities

 

HOW WILL ESTABLISHING A PUBLIC HEALTH WORKFORCE PROGRAM BE ANY BETTER THAN WHAT WE ALREADY HAVE? This part of the president's executive order ensures that the Secretary of Health and Human Services along with other agencies, consult with state and local leaders on the challenges of pandemic response efforts, such as: 

  • Recruiting and training of personnel in school and high risk settings
  • Provide technical support on contact-tracing
  • Establishing long range yearly target and budget goals to better respond to future pandemics and other biological threats
  • Assist in vaccination efforts, and create vaccination clinics
  • Provide any and all other services necessary to Americans affected by the COVID-19 Pandemic

 

AND, WHAT IS THE IMPORTANCE OF THE PRESIDENT'S EXECUTIVE ORDER?  To ensure the public understands that his directive is for the protection of everyone without restrictions in the most efficient way to a "speedy recovery."