Bridge Access Program helps people without insurance receive COVID-19 vaccines and treatments

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services released a fact sheet for the Bridge Access Program to maintain access to COVID-19 care for the uninsured. The program will create a unique $1.1 billion public-private partnership to help uninsured individuals continue to have access to COVID-19 care at their local pharmacies, through existing public health infrastructure, and at their local health centers.

The program has two major components:

• Provide support for the existing public sector vaccine safety net, which is implemented through local health departments and Health Resources and Services Administration supported health centers.
• Create a novel, funded partnership with pharmacy chains that will enable them to continue offering free COVID-19 vaccinations and treatments to the uninsured through their network or retail locations, similar to what was done during the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency.

To implement this transition plan for the uninsured, Health and Human Services has identified limited, existing COVID-19 supplemental funds that can support this program through December 2024.