Governor Whitmer Applauds Biden Administration’s Bold Actions to Increase Vaccine Supply and Expand FEMA Reimbursement to States

February 2, 2021 

Contact: Press@Michigan.gov 

Governor Whitmer Applauds Biden Administration’s Bold Actions to Increase Vaccine Supply and Expand FEMA Reimbursement to States 

Biden Administration also approves 100 percent retroactive coverage through August 2020 for Michigan National Guard to assist in COVID-19 relief efforts 

LANSING, Mich. – Today, the Biden Administration announced additional steps to increase the vaccine supply to states to 10.5 million doses nationwide and provide reimbursement to states for actions to combat COVID-19.   The administration has also granted 100 percent retroactive coverage until August 2020 for state National Guard efforts related to COVID-19 response activities. Governor Gretchen Whitmer has been vocal in calling for additional support from the federal government to provide additional support for the Michigan National Guard to continue assisting response efforts throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. In response to the Biden Administration’s announcement, Governor Gretchen Whitmer released the following statement: 

“The Michigan National Guard remains a critical part to our state’s ability to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic and lead an effective, ongoing statewide recovery moving forward. As we continue to administer additional doses of safe, effective vaccines, the Michigan National Guard is playing a vital role in our ability to do so efficiently while continuing to support mobile screening sites, testing, food distribution and other safety protocols in public spaces across the state. I want to thank the men and women in our National Guard for their continued service and round-the-clock work to help Michigan fight this pandemic, and I remain committed to doing all I can to ensure they have the support and resources they deserve.” 

Since the COVID-19 pandemic began, Michigan National Guard members have helped distribute nearly 28 million pounds of food at food banks, delivered tests and protective equipment across the state, and conducted more than 215,000 tests for COVID-19. 

“Over the past year, the men and women of our National Guard have remained committed to working with Governor Whitmer and her administration to help protect Michigan residents from this ongoing pandemic,” said Maj. Gen. Paul Rogers, Adjutant General and Director of the Michigan Department of Military and Veterans Affairs. “Knowing that we will have the resources necessary to continue our service in the face of this unprecedented outbreak will help us continue working together to put an end to this pandemic once and for all.” 

The Guard is continuing to partner with the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services and local departments to offer COVID-19 testing, provide antigen training for health care practitioners, and to provide informational assistance in call centers. 

In addition to covering National Guard activities in response to the pandemic, the administration will now also retroactively reimburse states fully for FEMA-eligible services – including masks, gloves, emergency feeding actions, sheltering at risk populations, and mobilization of the National Guard – back dated to the beginning of the pandemic in January 2020.  

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