The Biden administration has announced the launch of a $1.1 billion public-private partnership called “Bridge Access Program” aimed at giving uninsured individuals access to COVID-19 vaccines and treatments by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). At the end of the Public Health Emergency, the financial obligation of paying for these vaccines and treatments shifts to the private sector. Most people should continue to pay nothing out-of-pocket for vaccines but out-of-pocket expenses for treatments such as Paxlovid may change. The program has two components which include ensuring safety net programs like Community Health Centers will receive vaccines purchased at a discounted rate from the CDC and HHS will contract with pharmacies that will allow them to continue to provide COVID-19 treatments like Paxlovid free of charge to the uninsured.
