It’s hard to buy an at-home Covid-19 test in the US. At-home tests are sold out across the nation. Even if the at-home Covid tests were easily available, they are unaffordable to many people. What’s going on?
The least expensive test, according to Kaiser Health News, is the BinaxNOW test, which comes in a two-pack for $23.99. It’s hard to find anywhere. CVS still appears to have some available for purchase but, because they are such a hot commodity, it is limiting the number people can buy.
Fortunately, President Joe Biden has said the government will produce 280 million rapid Covid tests through the Defense Production Act at a lower cost than currently available. The Biden administration is working with large retailers to distribute the tests at a price that is as much as one third lower than the current price. People with Medicaid will get the tests for free.
Still, at a cost of $16 for a two-pack or $8 each, the price of the at-home rapid test still will be unaffordable to many Americans. What’s noteworthy is that other wealthy nations are charging as little as $1 for at-home tests. That’s what they cost in Germany. And, the UK offers each person 14 free tests.
Moreover, while 280 million more tests in the US sounds like a lot, if you break it down, that means less than one test per person. An inadequate supply of tests keeps people from doing the regular testing they might need to do to ensure they are Covid-free.
What’s concerning is not only that Americans cannot afford to buy the Covid-19 tests they need, were they available, but that the big companies manufacturing these tests and their shareholders are making out like bandits.
Here’s more from Just Care:
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