U.S. Government Considers Scrapping $500 Million in Unused COVID-19 Tests

[Social Media]

 

The federal government is currently deliberating over whether to destroy or continue distributing a massive stockpile of COVID-19 tests, with more than 160 million tests, valued at over half a billion dollars, potentially facing disposal. According to internal documents and officials within the public health sector, the Biden-era program that provided free COVID-19 tests to American households may soon be dismantled under the Trump administration’s policy changes.

 

Internal reports indicate that the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) is weighing two primary options: continuing to distribute the stockpiled tests or opting for large-scale disposal. Despite concerns about expiration dates, officials confirm that only a small percentage of the tests have expired. The program has been a key public health initiative, operating intermittently over the years depending on the state of the pandemic.

 

A recent internal directive requested employees to identify all COVID-19-related projects, initiatives, and webpages in response to an executive order signed by President Donald Trump. This order rescinded multiple COVID-related policies implemented by the Biden administration, including those aimed at expanding test distribution. The officials discussing these developments requested anonymity, as they were not authorized to speak publicly on the matter.

 

“It’s expensive to stockpile these tests,” said Dawn O’Connell, a former chief of the Administration for Strategic Preparedness and Response (ASPR) under Biden, who is not involved in the current decision-making. “Destruction costs a significant amount of money, but hanging on to them costs a significant amount of money.”

 

One of the key distribution channels, COVIDTests.gov, is set to be shut down, with the program expected to cease operations soon, according to internal government sources. While Americans would no longer be able to order free tests through this site, they would still have the option to purchase them over the counter. The White House and HHS have not issued any statements in response to inquiries about the decision.

 

The potential disposal of these tests marks another significant shift in the federal response to COVID-19, a virus that has presented both political and public health challenges since it first emerged five years ago. Trump initially embraced a proactive response, referring to himself as a “wartime president” in the early days of the pandemic.

 

However, he later grew critical of public health officials, accusing them of exaggerating the threat for political reasons. His administration’s latest actions, including an executive order targeting Biden-era vaccine mandates in schools and universities, reflect an ongoing move away from previous COVID-19 policies.

 

Based on a report by WP  2025-02-20

 

 

[Nickcage49]

Somebody needs to tell Elon. That's waste.

[dinsdale]

I wonder how many vaccines are in stock? A lot I would think since people have woken up and no longer trust the CDC recommendations.

[OneManShow]

They distributed millions and donated free tests and free vaccines to other countries. But Biden even hesitated to send vaccines to Thailand for expats. We were the last. 😔

[Watawattana]

9 hours ago, Social Media said:

The federal government is currently deliberating over whether to destroy or continue distributing a massive stockpile of COVID-19 tests, with more than 160 million tests, valued at over half a billion dollars, potentially facing disposal.

That's a massive over-estimation of the requirement.  Another Biden-era screw up.  Or was it...?

 

I wonder who made the most money from this over-estimation?

 

As for trashing them, it's a simple arithmetic calculation of the cost of storing them versus keeping them, bearing in mind they may have a shelf life and that nobody really cares about COVID any more.

[frank83628]

Send them to AN HQ to be forwarded to those members that are still hiding behind the sofa, alone,  while wearing a mask

[TallGuyJohninBKK]

18 hours ago, Social Media said:

According to internal documents and officials within the public health sector, the Biden-era program that provided free COVID-19 tests to American households may soon be dismantled under the Trump administration’s policy changes.

 

HHS to maintain free at-home COVID tests by mail—for now

The Trump administration for now will keep offering free COVID tests by mail as it considers whether to store or destroy the stockpile of 160 million tests, both of which come with significant financial costs, the Washington Post reported today.

 

Federal officials speaking off the record initially told the Post that the website for ordering the tests would go offline on February 18, but a Department of Health and Human Services spokesman later told the Post that the free test program would remain for now as the government discusses closing the current round of tests. 

Tests to remain in the federal stockpile

The spokesman also said the tests would be kept in the stockpile until they reach their expiration date. Federal officials told the post that only a small fraction of the tests in the government stockpile are expired. 

 

(more)

 

https://www.cidrap.umn.edu/covid-19/hhs-maintain-free-home-covid-tests-mail-now

 

[frank83628]

13 hours ago, Nickcage49 said:

Somebody needs to tell Elon. That's waste.

Don't think it needs Elon to know that's waste, any rational thinker that didn't <deleted>e themselves and wear 10 masks to bed knows that

[frank83628]

6 minutes ago, TallGuyJohninBKK said:

 

HHS to maintain free at-home COVID tests by mail—for now

The Trump administration for now will keep offering free COVID tests by mail as it considers whether to store or destroy the stockpile of 160 million tests, both of which come with significant financial costs, the Washington Post reported today.

 

Federal officials speaking off the record initially told the Post that the website for ordering the tests would go offline on February 18, but a Department of Health and Human Services spokesman later told the Post that the free test program would remain for now as the government discusses closing the current round of tests. 

Tests to remain in the federal stockpile

The spokesman also said the tests would be kept in the stockpile until they reach their expiration date. Federal officials told the post that only a small fraction of the tests in the government stockpile are expired. 

 

(more)

 

https://www.cidrap.umn.edu/covid-19/hhs-maintain-free-home-covid-tests-mail-now

 

Are all your posts AI generated?

Why do you have such an obsession with COVID? I have seen pages and page of posts from you, but I don't know why you are so  quick to attack anyone that has a difference of opinion regarding COVID. Genuine question.

[Harrisfan]

Biden was such a clown.