Congress Passes Coronavirus Funding

Washington, D.C. - The United States House of Representatives passed legislation to address the spread of COVID19, commonly known as the coronavirus. This virus started off in the Wuhan province of China and has spread across the globe. It is important to note that currently there are no cases of COVID19 in the State of Colorado.

Congressman Lamborn issued the following statement after House passage of the Coronavirus Preparedness and Response Act:

"I am glad that Congress is taking the threat from the coronavirus seriously. Today, we came together and worked in a bipartisan manner to safeguard the well-being of our constituents. This bill will speed the development of vaccines, increase access to testing and treatments, and expand access to telemedicine services so that more people can see their doctor remotely. I will continue to monitor the situation closely and encourage everyone to visit CDC's website for regular updates."


H.R. 6074 – Coronavirus Preparedness and Response Act

• More than $4 billion to make diagnostic tests more broadly available; to support treatments for those infected with the virus; and to invest in vaccine development and to procure vaccines when they are available. Funds are also made available for the Food and Drug Administration to protect the integrity of medical products manufactured overseas and identify and prevent potential shortages.

• $2.2 billion for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) for the response, including: nearly $1 billion exclusively for state and local response efforts; and $300 million for CDC's Infectious Diseases Rapid Response Reserve Fund to prevent, prepare for, and respond to diseases

• $20 million to administer disaster assistance loans for small businesses impacted by the virus.

• $1.25 billion for the State Department and the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) to protect Americans abroad and prevent the spread of the virus worldwide, including: $264 million to evacuate Americans and maintain consular operations overseas; and $200 million for USAID's Emergency Response Fund to prepare for and respond to emerging health threats.

The situation is rapidly evolving, as infectious disease researchers in the U.S. and across the globe are learning more about the virus, how it spreads, how to reduce exposure and how to treat those who contract the virus. The best way to receive the most up to date information is to visit the Centers for Disease Control website at cdc.gov or use the helpful links below.

• Guidance on Prevention and Control
• Guidance for Travelers
• Guidance for Ships
• Transmission
• Information for Health Care Providers
• Guidance for Emergency Medical Services (EMS) and 911 Public Safety Answering Points (PSAPs)
• Symptoms & Complications
• CDC Laboratory Test Kits
• 2019-nCoV Infection Control Guidance
• Frequently Asked Questions and Answers

Additional information may be found at the Colorado Department of Health's website Here.