The Trump administration is reversing its decision to cut federal support for five drive-thru coronavirus testing sites in Texas this month after a formal request from Gov. Greg Abbott and criticism from Sens. John Cornyn and Ted Cruz.
Texas is grappling with rapidly expanding coronavirus outbreaks in several parts of the state. The number of people hospitalized with the virus and the percentage of positive test results are both climbing, signaling the severity of the situation.
“I thank our federal partners for extending these operations in Texas, and for their flexibility in allocating their resources to the communities of Dallas and Houston that are experiencing a high number of COVID-19 cases right now,” Abbott said in a statement.
But there’s a catch: Federal coronavirus testing czar Brett Giroir said HHS will continue funding the Texas sites for two weeks past the previously announced June 30 cutoff. What happens after that point isn’t clear.
“We will continue to closely monitor COVID-19 diagnoses and assess the need for further federal support of these sites as we approach the extension date,” Giroir said.
HHS spokesperson Mia Heck said Texas only requested an extension for five of the seven drive-thru testing sites that are still receiving federal support. The federal government is still set to end funding in late June for six sites spread across four other states: Colorado, Illinois, New Jersey and Pennsylvania.
The scene in Texas: On Thursday, Abbott issued an executive order limiting elective surgeries in four counties to preserve beds for coronavirus patients. And on Friday, he announced a series of steps including the closure of bars except for takeout and delivery and limitations on most outdoor gatherings of more than 100 people.
Giroir earlier in the week told reporters ending federal funding for the seven Texas sites would be inconsequential. He said the action was long planned and that the state could use CARES Act money to operate the sites.
But Cornyn and Cruz wrote to HHS Secretary Alex Azar and FEMA Administrator Peter Gaynor Thursday requesting that the administration reverse the decision, citing the rise in cases.
What’s next: Keep an eye on the four other states with federally supported testing sites that still have funding set to end June 30.
Source: politico.com
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