Proposed state spending to fight COVID-19 | WJMN

LANSING, Mich. (WOOD) – With billions of federal dollars still waiting to be apportioned, a new supplemental spending bill was introduced Wednesday aimed at combating COVID-19 and ensuring that there are more healthcare professionals available. more health care to do so.

The Chairman of the House Appropriations Council, Rep. Thomas Albert, R-Lowell, made his debut House bill 5523, will bring $1.2 billion in COVID-19 relief to the operation. Areas that will receive funding include $300 million for healthcare workers, $650 million for COVID-19 tests, $300 million for schools to purchase tests and more again.

This comes just a week after the House approved spending more than $350 million to support first responders and improve school safety.

Last week on “To The Point,” Albert talked about putting more emphasis on treating people before they get so sick that they need to be hospitalized.

“Early treatment and preventing the spread of COVID right now are the challenges we are seeing. We’ve had a number of healthcare providers and people in the healthcare industry come to testify at the committee and talk about the problems they’re having,” he said. “One thing that I’m really excited about, and I think that could really be useful for what we’re seeing right now (are) monoclonal antibodies. I think we can put more emphasis on that. ”

How much emphasis? The bill proposes $134 million to provide antibodies, including in locations other than understaffed hospitals.

Other potential drugs such as Medicines for COVID-19 will also be mentioned in the bill. According to a statement from Albert’s office, priority will be given to “high-risk” individuals.

HB 5523 will be discussed further in the Appropriations Committee.