WASHINGTON - This afternoon, United States Congressman Van Taylor (TX-03) sent a letter to Texas Department of State Health Services Commissioner Dr. John Hellerstedt, MD regarding funding provided to states by Congress.

On March 6, 2020, President Donald J. Trump signed into law H.R. 6074, the Coronavirus Preparedness and Response Supplemental Appropriations Act which Congressman Taylor proudly supported. This legislation provided over $8 billion in total resources, including $950 million for state and local authorities to carry out infection control measures. On March 11, 2020, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) announced the State of Texas is to receive an allocation of over $39 million, which will be disbursed by the Texas Department of State Health Services.

In an effort to ensure Collin County receives the funding needed to adequately combat the coronavirus, Congressman Taylor sent a letter to Texas Department of State Health Services Commissioner Dr. John Hellerstedt, MD urging a full allocation of resources to address the pandemic in Collin County.

In the letter, Congressman Taylor states, "Collin County, which has multiple confirmed cases of COVID-19, is a densely populated community that is home to over one million residents, and numerous international businesses. Collin County is also in close proximity to Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport which is one of eleven airports designated by the Federal government to screen inbound travelers from regions significantly impacted by COVID-19." The letter continues, "As you consider how to deploy these resources throughout Texas, I would urge you to ensure that my community in Collin County receives a full allocation of resources to combat this growing pandemic. Time is of the essence in this fight."

The full text of the letter can be found here and more information on immediate plans for coronavirus supplemental funding from the Department of Health and Human Services can be found here.

Background
On March 6, 2020, President Donald J. Trump signed into law H.R. 6074, the Coronavirus Preparedness and Response Supplemental Appropriations Act, which Congressman Taylor proudly supported. This legislation provided over $8 billion in total resources, including $950 million for state and local authorities to carry out infection control measures. On March 11, 2020, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) announced the State of Texas is to receive an allocation of over $39 million, which will be disbursed by the Texas Department of State Health Services.

H.R. 6074, the Coronavirus Preparedness and Response Supplemental Appropriations Act provides $7.8 billion in emergency supplemental appropriations for the United States response to coronavirus. Specifically, the legislation includes:

$4 billion to make diagnostic tests more broadly available; to support treatments to ease the symptoms of those infected with the virus; and to invest in vaccine development and to procure vaccines when they are available. Funds are also made available for the Food and Drug Administration to protect the integrity of medical products manufactured overseas and identify and prevent potential shortages $2.2 billion for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) for a robust response including nearly $950 million for state and local response efforts and $300 million for CDC’s Infectious Diseases Rapid Response Reserve Fund to prevent, prepare for, and respond to diseases $20 million to administer disaster assistance loans for small businesses impacted by the virus $1.25 billion for the State Department and the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) to protect Americans abroad and prevent the spread of the virus worldwide, including $264 million to evacuate Americans and maintain consular operations overseas and $200 million for USAID’s Emergency Reserve Fund to prepare for and respond to emerging health threats

Up-to-date information on coronavirus can be found on www.VanTaylor.house.gov/coronavirus.

A 7th generation Texan, Congressman Van Taylor is a dedicated family man, successful businessman, and decorated Marine Officer. Taylor served Collin County both in the Texas House of Representatives and Texas Senate. Today, Taylor is proud to serve on the House Committee on Financial Services.

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