WASHINGTON (May 11, 2023)--As the Department of Health and Human Services ends the federal public health emergency on May 11, 2023, a host of federal policies are affected. The change impacts such policies as the work requirements for federal food assistance programs, and the free rapid over-the-counter Covid-19 tests. Additionally, the U.S. will transition Covid-19 vaccines and treatments to the commercial market in the coming months. These are just some of the many adjustments being made in response to the end of the pandemic.
The George Washington University has experts available to comment on a variety of issues related to ending the national COVID-19 emergency and the public health emergency. To request an interview please contact Kathy Fackelmann, [email protected] or Rachel Larris, [email protected].
Jeffrey Levi, a professor of health policy and management at the GW Milken Institute School of Public Health, is an expert on how policy decisions — such as the decision to end the national emergency response to COVID-19 — could affect the US ability to respond to the ongoing pandemic. For 10 years, he was executive director of Trust for America’s Health, where he led annual assessments of the preparedness of states and the federal government.
Leighton Ku, a professor of health policy and management and Director of the Center for Health Policy Research at the GW Milken Institute School of Public Health, is a health policy researcher and public policy analyst. He is an expert in national and state health reforms, and how to improve access to affordable health care for vulnerable populations.
Lynn R. Goldman, the Michael and Lori Milken Dean of Milken Institute School of Public Health, is an expert on emergency/public health preparedness and has deep knowledge of the intersection of policy and public health. She can talk about COVID-19 prevention strategies including vaccines, distribution, access and ways to protect society’s most vulnerable populations. She is also a pediatrician and can discuss the importance of vaccinating kids against COVID-19.
Michael Knight, an assistant professor of medicine, can discuss the impact of the FDA’s authorization on the impacted groups.
Amanda Castel, a professor of epidemiology, is an expert on all aspects of COVID-19 safety precautions, including vaccination, testing and contact tracing.