Friday, April 2, 2021
A Surge of Vaccine Availability Has Led to More Travel Options and Protection for Badger State Residents
MADISON, Wis.— Opportunity Wisconsin released a new report today on how the American Rescue Plan is helping Wisconsinites get vaccinated. This week the Biden-Harris Administration announced that Wisconsin community health centers will receive more than $59 million to expand vaccine distribution, part of a $10 billion nationwide investment “to expand access to vaccines and better serve communities of color, rural areas, low-income populations, and other underserved communities in the COVID-19 response.”
In addition, today the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) announced new guidelines for vaccinated Americans looking to travel. The CDC guidelines now say that Americans, as long as they wear a mask, can travel domestically and internationally without first receiving a negative COVID test or imposing a self-quarantine.
“The surge in vaccines and new guidelines from the CDC only underscore the continuing success of the American Rescue Plan,” said Opportunity Wisconsin Program Director Meghan Roh. “Tens of thousands of Wisconsinites have gotten vaccinated and thousands more are scheduling appointments soon. The American Rescue Plan is working, even after Senator Ron Johnson and Republicans in Congress tried to stop it.”
A copy of Opportunity Wisconsin’s new report is posted below.
Report: How the American Rescue Plan Helps Wisconsinites Get Vaccinated
Shots in arms. That’s how America is going to get out of this pandemic. That is why the American Rescue Plan provides crucial resources to speed up Wisconsin’s vaccine deployment process and reach our goal of herd immunity by July 4th.
National Vaccination Program
Instead of leaving states to fend for themselves, the American Rescue Plan establishes a national program to rapidly distribute vaccines while also providing funding for testing and public health initiatives. In total, the bill spends $160 billion to continue our fight against the virus.
Impact on Wisconsin
31.3 percent of Wisconsinites have received at least one vaccine dose, which makes them 10th in the nation on this measure. New federal money will help Wisconsin get to herd immunity even faster.
Wisconsin will be receiving $5.7 billion in state and local aid that can be used for vaccine distribution, as well as preventing essential worker layoffs. Public employees are crucial for ensuring that the vaccine rollout continues smoothly.
Starting April 5, every Wisconsin who is 16 or older will be eligible to receive a vaccine, weeks ahead of the federal goal of May 1.
Funding for Community Health Centers
The ARP provides $59,126,375 in funding to Community Health Centers across Wisconsin to help them distribute more vaccines at a faster rate. The overwhelming majority of CHC patients are racial or ethnic minorities living at or below 200% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines, so this money is guaranteed to help underserved communities get vaccinated. Here is the exact amount of money each CHC in Wisconsin will receive:
