From Politico: There is no surge plan’: Despite warnings, Congress failed to fully fund pandemics bill. Public-health experts complained that budget cuts were undermining preparedness. Congress did not take heed. An excerpt:

Rather than appropriate the advised $820 million-plus for public health grants and $470 million-plus for hospital preparedness that fell under the 2019 pandemic act, Congress only agreed to spend about $675 million and $275 million, respectively. Lawmakers, public health experts and Capitol Hill staff told POLITICO it’s well in keeping with Congress’ pattern of chipping away at domestic spending when times are good and only loosening the purse strings once a crisis is already underway