STATES could soon start offering $100 payments to people in order to get the vaccine under direct orders from President Joe Biden – who also told federal workers they must get vaccinated or face regular testing and mask-wearing.
Biden called on local governments to allocate funds from his $1.9 trillion American Rescue Plan to offer $100 payments to people who have still not received the vaccine.
The cash would provide “an extra incentive to boost vaccination rates, protect communities, and save lives,” said the Treasury Department on Thursday.
“Treasury stands ready to give technical assistance to state and local governments so that they may use the funds effectively,” the department’s statement read.
This will be used “to support increased vaccination in their communities, and Treasury will partner with the Department of Health and Human Services throughout this effort.”
Biden, who has been receiving flack for ignoring questions regarding mandatory vaccines in the military, made the announcement on Thursday while discussing the coronavirus at the White House.
“I know that paying people to get vaccinated might sound unfair to folks that have gotten vaccinated already,” he started.
“But here’s the deal: if incentives help us beat this virus, I believe we should use them. We all benefit if we can get more people vaccinated.”
Biden signed the $1.9 trillion relief package in March, which included $350 billion in funding to help state and local governments recover from the coronavirus.
His announcement also follows guidelines from the Treasury Department that allow local governments to receive funds for such a vaccine incentive program.
Some states have also offered vaccine incentives through lotteries, free foods, and other goods.
It also comes days after New York City began offering the $100 voucher program – and as the Delta variant quickly becomes the most prominent of Covid-19 cases in the country.
Biden also announced that all federal employees and subcontractors are required to get the vaccine, following similar guidelines put in place in New York City and California.
The mandate will require such personnel to show proof of vaccination or regularly test negative for on-site PCR tests.
