Last week, U.S. Rep. Charlie Crist, D-Fla., showcased the “Coronavirus Testing Capacity Expansion Act” which, the Florida congressman insists, will “increase and expand the United States’ ability to test for the coronavirus by bringing non-traditional labs, such as veterinarian and university labs, into the fight, making them eligible to conduct testing and incentivizing their participation.”
Taking a page from what Germany is doing to expand testing, Crist’s proposal would let veterinary and biotechnology labs conduct COVID-19 tests. The non-traditional labs would be reimbursed by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS).
“At this point in the pandemic, it is clear that wide-spread testing with a quick turnaround on results is the key to protecting our communities and loved ones from this virus. Testing every American who needs a test, and getting them results quickly go hand in hand. It allows for effective contact tracing and lowers barriers for people to go get tested, especially asymptomatic people,” said Crist on Thursday.
“Using every tool at our disposal to expand testing must be a top priority. The Coronavirus Testing Capacity Expansion Act is common-sense legislation to increase our lab testing capacity so that smaller, non-traditional labs can join the fight, getting people their results quicker, encouraging everybody to know their status, and limiting the spread of the virus,” Crist added.
Reach Kevin Derby at kevin.derby@floridadaily.com.
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