Rep. Katie Porter vs. CDC Director: Coronavirus Testing Costs $1,330, Administration Can Make It Free

RCP Video ^ | 3-12-2020 | Ian Schwartz

[Sir Napsalot]

Rep. Katie Porter (D-CA) points out how much coronavirus testing could cost the average American and that the administration has the power to make it free.

(snip)

PORTER: Great, so you are familiar. Dr. Redfield will you commit to the CDC right now using that existing authority to pay for diagnostic testing free to every American regardless of insurance?

REDFIELD: Well, I can say that we are going to do everything to make sure everybody can get the care they need.

PORTER: Nope, not good enough. Reclaiming my time. Dr. Redfield you have the existing authority. Will you commit right now to using the authority that you have invested in you under law that provides in a public health emergency for testing, treatment, exam, isolation without cost? Yes or no?

REDFIELD: What I am going to say is I'm going to review it in detail with CDC and the department--

(snip)

REDFIELD: What I was trying to say is that CDC is working with HHS now to see how we operationalize that.

PORTER: Dr. Redfield I hope that that answer weighs heavily on you because it is going to weigh very heavily on me and on every American family.

REDFIELD: Our intent is to make sure every American gets the care and treatment they need at this time of this major epidemic and I'm currently working with HHS to see how the best operationalize it.

PORTER: Dr. Redfield you don't need to do any work to operationalize. You need to make a commitment to the American people so they come in to get tested. You can operationalize the payment structure tomorrow.

[mewzilla]

But, hey, easy mistake to make. I’ll bet all Upstate counties look the same to Fredo’s bro.

[Jeff Chandler]

Drive-through colonoscopies?

[corkoman]

What’s the protocol for treating this coronavirus vs treating the common cold, which is also a coronavirus??

Most colds are not carona they are rhinoviruses

[CodeToad]

So?