Holcomb announces new efforts to stop coronavirus
INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) — Gov. Eric Holcomb announced late Friday afternoon new actions related to Indiana’s efforts to stop the coronavirus.
Those include:
- Hoosiers on Medicaid will not pay co-pays for COVID-19 testing and can get 90-day refills of medications for chronic conditions.
- Community meals for senior citizens are being converted to home meal deliveries.
- Family and Social Services gave day cares specific guidance to protect children in their care.
- He lifted regulations limiting the number of work hours per day for drivers of commercial vehicles transporting goods to retailers, some of which are running short on supplies.
- A map helps parents find phone numbers to get child care referrals.
News 8 sat down Friday with Holcomb and Indiana State Health Commissioner, Dr. Kristina Box about the coronavirus pandemic in Indiana and the United States.
“Folks should just know that we’re throwing all of our resources at this,” said Holcomb. “I met with our cabinet and told the Department of Insurance, the Department of Revenue, the Department of Health, Homeland Security and everyone at the table, ‘Look under every stone, figure out what flexibility you need. Whether it has to do with unemployment insurance benefits, zeroing out the copay for Medicaid recipients, whatever it is, we gotta figure out.’”
“Take this coronavirus response seriously, but don’t be anxious about it,” said Box.
Holcomb was asked if he’s getting the help he needs from President Trump and his administration.
“We are, the vice president hosts a weekly call. We’ve had two so far,” said Holcomb. “He called me last Saturday, I was on the phone yesterday evening with the director of the CDC Dr. Robert Redfield.”
Holcomb explained he spoke on the phone Friday morning with US Sen. Todd Young, US Reps. Greg Pence and Pete Visclosky.
“We want to make sure they know how appreciative we are of what we’ve got, but we’re going to need more,” said Holcomb. “We need to make sure we have gowns and masks and swabs and the actual reagents, etc., we feel good about where we are.”
Box said the state got more test kits from the Centers for Disease Control on Thursday and they’re expecting more.