Why isn’t the U.S. providing free COVID-19 tests to Americans? Other countries are doing so.

Earlier this month, the White House unveiled a series of measures aimed at curbing the spread of the coronavirus as the omicron variant proliferates in the U.S.

Among those policies, which received significant attention, is the requirement for all air travelers heading to the U.S. to present a negative COVID-19 test taken within one calendar day before departure, along with an extension of the federal mask mandate for public transit. However, another proposal received less emphasis: increasing access to free at-home COVID-19 tests for Americans via testing sites, community centers, and clinics in rural regions.

This topic resurfaced during a White House press briefing on December 6, when a reporter inquired: "Last week, the President discussed a ramp-up in testing, but numerous countries, such as Germany, the U.K., and South Korea, provide extensive testing either free of charge or for a minimal fee. Why can't we implement something similar in the United States?"

Several nations already provide free or low-cost COVID-19 testing, which I will elaborate on below. The issue arose with press secretary Jen Psaki's biting response, where she remarked, "Should we just send one to every American?"

To restore normalcy and accelerate the recovery of travel, providing COVID-19 tests to every American should be a key priority for the U.S. This is an issue that affects everyone, especially in light of the omicron variant's spread.

What Psaki misunderstood most about at-home testing is that it's far from a new concept. Rapid testing can be both affordable and widely accessible. If the U.S. aims to distribute tests to all citizens, it can look to its closest ally across the Atlantic for inspiration.

Missteps by the White House regarding at-home testing

While Psaki did not directly address the reporter's question, her reply implied that the White House considers the idea to be unrealistic.

"So what happens if every American has one test? What’s the cost, and what’s next?" Psaki asked in response. The focus on cost and the frequency of testing is misplaced. The real question should be, "How can we make this a reality?"

Several smaller countries than the U.S. provide free rapid tests that can be mailed to residents. For example, people in the U.K. can order a pack of seven tests each day at no cost. The U.K. employs rapid lateral flow tests to identify cases in individuals who may be asymptomatic but still contagious. Results are typically available within 15 to 30 minutes, depending on the test type. This service is available not just for those confirmed to have the virus but also for individuals who lack access to tests through work, school, or college, often those from middle or lower-income backgrounds, according to the NHS.

In contrast, the situation in the U.S. is quite different. The White House's plan to subsidize at-home COVID-19 tests only extends to Americans with private health insurance, excluding those with public insurance. This means that approximately 34% of the population, including Medicare and Medicaid recipients, would not be included in President Biden's initiative.

To be fair, the White House has announced plans to distribute 50 million at-home test kits to community centers and rural areas, but there’s no timeline provided for this initiative. Additionally, these tests are notoriously scarce in rural regions, leaving uncertainty about how the White House intends to address this issue.

Alongside the testing challenge, there is also an issue of accessibility.

Obtaining a COVID-19 rapid test for home use has only recently become easier at drugstores. The Abbott BinaxNow COVID-19 Home Test (not suitable for travel) is available at places like Walgreens and CVS. However, for those on a budget or needing to test an entire family, this option can be expensive, as tests are sold in packs of two for about $25. These costs can accumulate quickly, especially since the U.S. won't reimburse Americans for any previous at-home testing expenses they've incurred.

Limited access to affordable testing will prolong the pandemic.

In terms of travel alone, the U.S. experienced a $500 billion loss in spending, resulting in a $1.1 trillion hit to economic output in 2020. Even with over half of the population fully vaccinated, travel has not returned to pre-pandemic levels, and the impact of the omicron variant on the industry remains uncertain.

These figures reflect just the financial burden—the human cost is far more devastating. Nearly 800,000 Americans have lost their lives to COVID-19, according to Johns Hopkins University. Despite 60% of the population being fully vaccinated, over 33,000 Americans have died from the virus in the past month alone. With positive cases once again on the rise, we could face a bleak winter if access to testing remains limited.

In summary

Two years into the COVID-19 pandemic, we still haven't found an effective way to manage testing. Some countries have successfully implemented systems that deliver free tests directly to residents' homes. Meanwhile, the U.S. is only now beginning to explore this concept, and recently the White House hesitated at the idea. This approach isn’t new and has proven effective elsewhere. If we aim to revive travel and reduce positive cases and fatalities, making tests readily available for mailing to all Americans should be more than just a concept.