GOP wants unspent COVID funds for debt limit. Biden is open, but health experts aren't.

WASHINGTON − The trillions of dollars Congress approved since 2020 for fighting the coronavirus pandemic were piled onto the federal deficit as an emergency need that didn’t have to be offset with spending cuts or revenue hikes.

Now that the emergency is over, House Republicans want to take back the less than 1% of remaining funds.

It appears that we are referring to a recent development regarding the unspent COVID-19 funds and the debate surrounding the debt limit in the United States. However, as an AI language model, I don't have real-time information or the ability to browse the internet for the latest news updates beyond my knowledge cutoff in September 2021. Therefore, I'm unable to provide specific details on the current stance of the GOP (Republican Party), President Biden, or health experts regarding this matter.

However, I can offer some general insights based on the information available up until September 2021. It's important to note that political positions and opinions can evolve over time, so the current situation may have changed since my knowledge cutoff.

Unspent COVID-19 funds: The COVID-19 pandemic led to the allocation of substantial funds by governments worldwide to address public health needs, support economic recovery, and provide assistance to individuals and businesses. If there are unspent funds remaining, policymakers may consider various options for their use, including repurposing them for other purposes like reducing the national debt.

Debt limit: The debt limit, also known as the debt ceiling, is a statutory limit on the amount of debt that the U.S. government can incur. It is set by Congress and has been a subject of political debates in the past. Raising or suspending the debt limit is necessary to prevent the government from defaulting on its obligations.

GOP's position: The Republican Party, often referred to as the GOP, has traditionally advocated for fiscal conservatism and reducing government spending. Their stance on using unspent COVID-19 funds for the debt limit may vary among different Republican lawmakers, and individual positions may change over time.

President Biden's position: President Joe Biden's stance on using unspent COVID-19 funds for the debt limit may depend on the specific circumstances, negotiations, and priorities. It is essential to refer to recent news sources to understand the latest statements and developments regarding President Biden's position on this matter.

Health experts' perspective: Health experts typically focus on public health matters and may express concerns if funds allocated for public health emergencies, such as the COVID-19 response, are redirected for other purposes. Their opinions and recommendations are generally rooted in the best interests of public health and may differ from political considerations.

To understand the most up-to-date information and viewpoints on this topic, I recommend referring to reliable news sources or conducting an internet search for recent articles or statements from relevant political figures, experts, and commentators.

Katie Smith Sloan, the president and CEO of LeadingAge, the largest association for nonprofit nursing homes, said it’s wrong “to equate unspent with unneeded.”

Nursing homes continue to struggle to recruit and retain workers while managing rising operating costs, she said, and the millions of dollars Congress approved in COVID-relief payments are critical.

But a spokeswoman for the American Health Care Association, the nation’s largest trade group for nursing homes, said her organization is less concerned about the fate of the remaining provider relief funds and more focused on whether House Republicans and the White House can reach a compromise before the Treasury Department is unable to pay its bills.

“Nursing home residents primarily rely on Medicaid and Medicare, and any disruption of these lifeline reimbursements will result in devastating consequences for our nation’s most vulnerable,” said Rachel Reeves, senior vice president of public affairs.