Key takeaways:

$1 billion was spent on the program over the last 4 years.

HHS is in the process of purchasing a supply of tests that can distinguish between COVID-19 and influenza to have on hand for emergencies.

HHS has ended a government-funded program that distributed free COVID-19 tests to community organizations, a department spokesperson confirmed to Healio.

“With COVID-19 behaving more like the seasonal flu — rising and falling through the year — and tests widely available at retail stores nationwide, continued federal distribution is a significant waste of taxpayers’ dollars,” the spokesperson said. “The COVID-19 pandemic is over .”

An HHS spokesperson said the decision to cut the program was made because tests are available at retail stores across the country. Image: Ado

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