Massachusetts will get $452.1 million to expand COVID-19 testing, tracing and mitigation and $88.9 million for vaccine distribution, according to the state’s Executive Office for Administration and Finance.
The money is part of more than $9 billion the commonwealth is expected to get through the federal stimulus bill that President Donald Trump signed into law on Sunday, spokesperson Patrick Marvin told GBH News on Monday.
It includes funding for unemployment assistance, direct payments to individuals, education, housing, healthcare, testing, contact tracing and transportation, according to Marvin. It also includes $37.2 million through a Substance Abuse Prevention and Treatment Block Grant and $33.6 million through a Mental Health Block Grant.
“The federal legislation will also provide health care provider support, and providers must submit applications justifying a need for funding," Marvin said.
The $900 billion stimulus bill includes direct payments of $600 for individuals, but that number could go up: the House voted Monday to increase direct payments to $2,000. The $9 billion in total funding coming to Massachusetts could increase to reflect the change in personal payments, Marvin said — a decision that now lies with the Senate.
