Bill Overview
Title: Free At-Home Tests for All Act
Description: This bill requires the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to provide free antigen diagnostic tests for COVID-19 (i.e., rapid tests) to U.S. residents. The bill also automatically grants emergency use authorization for rapid tests approved by certain foreign regulators. Specifically, HHS must purchase a sufficient quantity of rapid tests to provide two tests per week at no cost to each resident for the 12 months following the bill's enactment. The President may use authorities available under the Defense Production Act of 1950 to obtain the tests. That act confers upon the President a broad set of authorities to influence domestic industry in order to provide essential materials and goods needed for the national defense. In addition, HHS must conduct outreach about the availability of free rapid tests to Medicare and Medicaid participants and make the tests available through those programs. The bill also automatically grants emergency use authorization during the public health emergency for rapid tests that are listed for emergency use by (1) the World Health Organization (WHO), or (2) a foreign regulator that is a stringent regulatory authority as defined by the WHO for purposes of medicine procurement. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) may rescind authority for, or otherwise regulate, a rapid test that was automatically authorized. Additionally, the FDA must establish a permanent advisory committee focused on diagnostic and serological testing for public health needs.
Sponsors: Rep. Beyer, Donald S., Jr. [D-VA-8]
Target Audience
Population: U.S. residents
Estimated Size: 331002651
- The legislation mandates the provision of free rapid COVID-19 antigen tests to all U.S. residents.
- The population of the United States is estimated to be approximately 331 million people as of 2023.
- The bill requires sufficient tests for each resident to have two tests per week for one year.
- In addition to the population residing in the U.S., the bill also impacts global availability by granting emergency use authorization for tests approved by certain foreign regulators.
- The global population affected includes those in countries where these additional tests may now be recognized and thus, more widely used.
Reasoning
- Considering the policy, the primary demographic impacted includes all U.S. residents, particularly those at higher risk of COVID-19 exposure such as essential workers, low-income families, healthcare workers, elderly populations, and individuals with pre-existing health conditions.
- These interviews include a wide demographic spectrum to address how different segments of the population perceive the self-reported wellbeing impacts of the policy.
- The commonness of each type of interviewee helps in understanding how widely the policy will impact typical scenarios.
- Budget constraints and the massive population size suggest a focus on optimizing distribution and awareness, hence the specific educational outreach through Medicare and Medicaid.
Simulated Interviews
nurse (Los Angeles, CA)
Age: 30 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 12/20
Statement of Opinion:
- As a nurse, access to rapid COVID tests for all is incredibly valuable.
- Being able to test easily helps me keep my patients and family safe.
- The policy will reduce anxiety around possible exposures.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 5 |
grocery store manager (Houston, TX)
Age: 40 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 4.0 years
Commonness: 10/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I'm exposed to hundreds of customers daily, which is a worry.
- Access to free rapid testing regularly for my family is reassuring.
- This initiative could prevent outbreaks in crowded workplaces like mine.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 5 | 5 |
retired (Miami, FL)
Age: 65 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 3.0 years
Commonness: 8/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I'm concerned as I'm more vulnerable to COVID-19 due to age.
- Having rapid tests readily available is comforting for social interactions.
- The outreach to Medicare was helpful in making me aware.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 5 | 5 |
software engineer (New York, NY)
Age: 29 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 8
Duration of Impact: 2.0 years
Commonness: 15/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Personally, I don't feel at risk as much since I work from home.
- However, my partner being an essential worker makes me worry.
- This policy gives access to quick testing which helps our peace of mind.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 8 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 7 |
school teacher (Chicago, IL)
Age: 50 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 10/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Schools are likely a hotspot, so regular testing is critical.
- Knowing I can test easily before seeing my parent is a relief.
- This policy could significantly help reduce transmission in schools.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 9 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 5 |
unemployed (Atlanta, GA)
Age: 56 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 4
Duration of Impact: 4.0 years
Commonness: 9/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Getting tested for COVID-19 regularly is burdensome due to cost.
- Free tests at home mean I can safely continue job searching.
- This policy makes me feel cared for by the government.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 4 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 4 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 4 |
| Year 5 | 5 | 4 |
| Year 10 | 5 | 4 |
| Year 20 | 5 | 4 |
graduate student (Portland, OR)
Age: 24 | Gender: other
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 2.0 years
Commonness: 11/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Understanding and responding to community health issues is crucial.
- Free rapid testing availability will allow our research to reach more people.
- It feels like a proactive step towards managing pandemics.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 7 |
construction worker (Phoenix, AZ)
Age: 37 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 3.0 years
Commonness: 10/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I'm exposed to many people where I work, so testing is important.
- Regular rapid tests keep my family safer.
- The cost savings are significant for someone like me.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 5 | 5 |
college student (Boston, MA)
Age: 19 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 8
Duration of Impact: 2.0 years
Commonness: 12/20
Statement of Opinion:
- The policy supports safer on-campus activities.
- It eases concerns about spreading COVID-19 to my family back home.
- Easier access to tests should be standard for all pandemics.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 9 | 8 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 7 |
retired (Cheyenne, WY)
Age: 72 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 4.0 years
Commonness: 7/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I'm cautious because of my spouse's health.
- The policy helps us feel more secure about interacting with friends.
- I appreciate the direct outreach from healthcare services.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 5 | 5 |
Cost Estimates
Year 1: $68604000000 (Low: $51843000000, High: $83244000000)
Year 2: $0 (Low: $0, High: $0)
Year 3: $0 (Low: $0, High: $0)
Year 5: $0 (Low: $0, High: $0)
Year 10: $0 (Low: $0, High: $0)
Year 100: $0 (Low: $0, High: $0)
Key Considerations
- Sustained supply of tests and efficient distribution mechanisms are crucial.
- Public awareness and proper communication strategies are necessary to maximize policy effectiveness.
- Potential resistance from sectors impacted by free availability, such as commercial test producers.