September 23, 2021
D.C. News
  • Vice President Harris called for a new global health security fund at the World Bank to focus on pandemic preparedness. Harris said that the Biden administration is planning to contribute $250 million in seed funding and will request an addition $850 million from Congress. The vice president also asked countries and organizations to set up a Global Health Threats Council that would elevate biological threats to heads of state, with the goal of staving off the next public health crisis. (Articles here and here)
  • Senator Bernie Sanders proposed sending $1,000 debit cards to Medicare beneficiaries to help them pay for dental visits, hearing aides, or glasses before new benefits covering that care are added to the Medicare program. The vouchers would be available to people earning less than $75,000 and families with incomes under $150,000 per year. (Article here)