Kansas to pay for COVID-19 testing through end of year, and maybe for months longer
Kansas will continue to fund community- and employer-based COVID-19 testing through the end of the year.
The State Finance Council, a committee composed of legislative leadership and Gov. Laura Kelly, on Thursday approved the allocation of $14.9 million in federal COVID-19 relief funds for testing.
More money could be on the way. On Friday, the Strengthening People and Revitalizing Kansas (SPARK) committee will consider a proposal requesting an additional $42 million to extend testing through the first quarter of next year.
Testing “remains a critical tool for identifying the COVID-19 virus and protecting Kansas communities against its spread,” Lt. Gov. David Toland said during Thursday’s State Finance Council meeting.
Under the unified testing strategy, the state works with seven private labs across the state to provide free COVID-19 testing in schools, businesses and long-term care facilities, was expected to expire at the end of November.
The Kansas Department of Health and Environment said funds, initially allocated in 2020, ran out quicker than expected when testing increased with the delta variant of the virus.
The SPARK committee, which controls allocations of the state’s federal dollars, recommended the extended funds last month.
The SPARK committee is scheduled to discuss further allocations of COVID-19 testing funds Friday.
This story was originally published December 9, 2021 at 2:16 PM with the headline "Kansas to pay for COVID-19 testing through end of year, and maybe for months longer."
