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Senate passes $6 million appropriation for potential COVID‑19 treatments as part of larger federal funds bill
Summary
HB 4001 authorizes remaining federal pandemic funds for unemployment, Medicaid, child care, homeless services and other programs and includes $6 million for procuring potential COVID‑19 treatments; the Senate approved the bill unanimously and will return it to the House.
The Utah Senate passed House Bill 4001 on April 20 to appropriate remaining federal pandemic response funds and authorize state use for a range of programs, including unemployment compensation, Medicaid and direct assistance programs.
Senator Stevenson, the floor sponsor, described the bill as completing earlier action that allowed agencies to begin using federal funds and said the package includes formula‑based federal grants and a mix of restricted and flexible coronavirus relief funds. He outlined funding uses that include child care, homeless services, emergency food, testing, mobile testing, treatment drugs and outreach; the sponsor said some flexible funds have already been spent on software and personal protective equipment.
Stevenson also said HB 4001 would allow up to $6,000,000 to secure supplies of potential COVID‑19 treatments. He referenced a prior state purchase of 20,000 doses of hydroxychloroquine for patients with autoimmune conditions and said officials discussed procuring additional doses but had not signed a contract. Senator Wyler highlighted emergency air‑ambulance reimbursement issues for Native communities and said the bill includes funding to help address those shortfalls.
The Senate moved the bill under suspension of the rules and the clerk announced final passage with 29 yeas and 0 nays recorded; the bill will be signed by the president and returned to the House.
