Press Release

Big Cities Health Coalition Applauds Passage of the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 in the U.S. House and Urges U.S. Senate to Approve

February 2021

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: February 27, 2021            

CONTACT: Max Mays, mays@bigcitieshealth.org

Washington, DC – The Big Cities Health Coalition (BCHC) applauds the U.S. House of Representatives for passing the American Rescue Plan Act (H.R. 1319) and urges the U.S. Senate to pass the legislation as soon as possible.

As the nation continues to respond to the global COVID-19 pandemic and the corresponding economic crisis, the relief package will provide critical financial support to health departments, as well as to local and state governments, who are bearing the brunt of both the response and subsequent economic turndown.

If passed by the U.S. Senate and signed into law, the American Rescue Plan would provide nearly $20 billion to a national vaccination program in partnership with state and local health departments; invest $50 billion in a massive expansion of testing, to help track and contain the spread of COVID-19 and support school reopening.

“We thank the House for passing the American Rescue Plan Act,” said Chrissie Juliano, executive director, Big Cities Health Coalition. “Throughout the pandemic, local health departments have been constrained by a lack of resources necessary for a robust response. This is an important down payment towards adequately resourcing our public health system. We call on the Senate to quickly follow suit so that relief can reach local communities as soon as possible.”

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About the Big Cities Health Coalition

The Big Cities Health Coalition (BCHC) is a forum for the leaders of America’s largest metropolitan health departments to exchange strategies and jointly address issues to promote and protect the health and safety of their residents. Collectively, BCHC member jurisdictions directly impact nearly 62 million people, or one in five Americans. For more information, visit https://www.bigcitieshealth.org.

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