The 217 Today Podcast

217 Today: Health inequities will worsen if Congress doesn’t restore COVID-19 funding, experts warn

Brian Moline and Farrah Anderson
 
Unless Congress acts to increase COVID-related spending, COVID tests and treatments will no longer be guaranteed free for uninsured people.

Unless Congress acts to increase COVID-related spending, COVID tests and treatments will no longer be guaranteed free for uninsured people. Justin Hicks/Indiana Public Broadcasting

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Friday, April 1, 2022

Today's headlines:

  • The Illinois Senate approved a measure Thursday to pay vaccinated teachers and other public school workers for any time they took off related to COVID-19, such as a sick or exposed family member.

  • People who physically attack Illinois Department of Children and Family Services workers would face stiffer charges under a measure lawmakers approved Thursday.

  • Students from several Illinois colleges gathered Thursday on the University of Illinois campus to recognize this year’s Transgender Day of Visibility.

  • Plastic bags filled with rocks and flyers advocating for the Ku Klux Klan were found on the University of Illinois Urbana campus Thursday.

In today's deep dive, we'll learn why public health experts are warning that health inequities will worsen if Congress doesn’t restore funding to COVID-19 programs.

217 Today is produced by Farrah Anderson. Reporting today contributed by Caroline Kubzansky, Alex Degman, Madison Holcomb, Farrah Anderson and Farah Yousry.