The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) recently awarded to California $499,203,180 in new funding to support testing for COVID-19. This funding will provide critical support to develop, purchase, administer, process and analyze COVID-19 tests, as well as to conduct surveillance, trace contacts and related activities.

HHS also awarded $13 million to California’s Rural Health Clinics (RHC) to expand access to testing in rural communities. An additional $500,000 is being awarded to support technical assistance efforts to the RHCs as they expand COVID-19 testing capabilities. 

Expanding testing capacity is a critical element of safely reopening the economy, and helping Californians to return to work and school.

Today, HHS also announced $500 million in payments from the Provider Relief Fund for the Indian Health Service and tribal hospitals, clinics, and urban health centers to support the tribal response to the COVID-19 outbreak.