Free testing, paid sick leave, food relief — what’s in the new coronavirus bill?
A coronavirus relief bill backed by President Donald Trump has moved to the U.S. Senate for consideration. So what’s in the bill for ordinary Americans?
The U.S. House of Representatives passed the bill early Saturday on a bipartisan 363-40 vote after Trump voiced his support on Twitter, CNN reported
“[W]e thought it would be important to show the American people, assure the American people, that we are willing and able to work together to get a job done for them,” said House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., Politico reported. “So we thank our Republicans — those who will be supporting the bill. We appreciate the president joining us with his tweet.”
House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif., said he’s confident senators will pass the legislation early next week and send it to Trump to be signed, The Hill reported.
More than 156,000 cases of the COVID-19 virus have been confirmed worldwide with more than 5,800 deaths as of March 15, according to Johns Hopkins University. The United States has more than 2.950 confirmed cases with at least 60 deaths.
Here are some of the details of the Families First Coronavirus Response Act.
Free coronavirus testing for all
The bill requires private health insurers and government programs like Medicare and Medicaid to pay the full cost of testing, including emergency room visits and doctor fees, Vox reported. Those without health insurance also will receive free testing for the COVID-19 virus.
Emergency paid sick leave
The bill requires employers with fewer than 500 employees to immediately provide 14 days of paid sick leave, The Washington Post reports.
It also guarantees workers paid sick leave if they are quarantined, have to care for an ill family member or must care for children whose schools or day care facilities have closed, according to the publication.
Workers who have coronavirus will receive 100% of their pay, The Associated Press reports. Employees caring for ill family members or children must receive at least two-thirds of their regular pay. The benefits expire in January 2021.
Emergency paid family leave
The legislation also expands the existing family medical and leave program, which guarantees workers free leave for up to 12 weeks without risk of losing their jobs, Vox reported.
Workers who take coronavirus-related medical or family leave will now receive up to two-thirds of their regular pay while on leave, The Washington Post reported.
Food aid
The bill provides $1.3 billion in emergency food aid for low-income pregnant women and their young children, senior citizens and food banks, The Associated Press reports.
States also can expand SNAP benefits to make up for lost school lunch programs for children, according to the wire service.
Unemployment benefits
The bill waives work-search requirements and waiting weeks for employees who lose their jobs as a result of the coronavirus outbreak. It provides an additional $2 billion to state unemployment agencies.
This story was originally published March 14, 2020 at 2:33 PM with the headline "Free testing, paid sick leave, food relief — what’s in the new coronavirus bill?."