The Federal Government Is Offering Americans Free Covid Tests

When I came back from my vacation this summer and wasn't feeling well, besides decongestant, some orange juice, and tissues I wound up buying some COVID-19 tests at the drug store. I really didn't want to spend the money on Covid tests, but I didn't want to pass that crud on to anyone else in my office so I sucked it up and bought them. Starting Monday, September 25, 2023, you won't have to buy them for a while.

The Department of Health and Human Services announced that the Biden-Harris Administration announced a $600 million dollar investment in 12 domestic COVID-19 test manufacturers and the reopening of the COVIDTests.gov website which will offer the tests free of charge to all Americans. The site will also allow those with COVID-19 tests to check and see if the expiration dates have been extended.

The Department of Health and Human Services says the investment will improve preparedness for COVID-19 and future pandemics while strengthening our ability to manufacture the tests domestically. The investment will also give the Federal Government 200 million tests for future government use.

“The Biden-Harris Administration, in partnership with domestic manufacturers, has made great strides in addressing vulnerabilities in the U.S. supply chain by reducing our reliance on overseas manufacturing,” said HHS Secretary Xavier Becerra in a press release. He went on to say the availability of the free tests will also help mitigate the spread of the virus.

The COVID tests will be able to detect the currently circulating variants of the coronavirus and will be able to be used through the end of 2023.

The Federal Government has provided over 755 million free tests to Americans so far, with this round of free tests adding to that number.