The Trump admin is planning to end federal support for coronavirus testing sites at the end of the month — including in Texas, where confirmed cases of COVID-19 are spiking.
Locals officials are warning it will have “catastrophic cascading consequences.” houstonchronicle.com/politics/texas…
Locals officials are warning it will have “catastrophic cascading consequences.” houstonchronicle.com/politics/texas…
Houston officials consider two of those sites — the largest in the city — the backbone of the city's testing efforts.
Houston Dems @RepSylviaGarcia, @JacksonLeeTX18, @RepAlGreen and @RepFletcher are urging the admin to keep funding them through August.
houstonchronicle.com/politics/texas…
Houston Dems @RepSylviaGarcia, @JacksonLeeTX18, @RepAlGreen and @RepFletcher are urging the admin to keep funding them through August.
houstonchronicle.com/politics/texas…
Also, worth noting that the Trump admin has once before changed plans to end support for these sites, in April, when it extended support until the end of June.
New: @tedcruz also urging Trump admin to extend federal support for coronavirus testing sites in Texas, per spokesperson: 
NEW: Assistant HHS Secretary Brett Giroir says sites are part of a “now antiquated program” the Trump admin is moving away from as it expands other testing options.
Local officials say the 4 sites in Harris County do 2,500 tests per day and have been reaching capacity by 1pm.
Local officials say the 4 sites in Harris County do 2,500 tests per day and have been reaching capacity by 1pm.
HHS officials say they're not leaving locals hanging by pulling out of 7 sites in TX. Giroir says TX officials told him they're "happy" to take over. Feds have sent billions to states, “they clearly have the funds to do this.”
@miyashay w/ a good rundown:
@miyashay w/ a good rundown:
Giroir says Trump admin has long planned to end federal support for the sites and transition them to state and local control as it works to expand testing in other ways, including by partnering with pharmacies such as CVS. Giroir said that includes more than 200 sites in Texas.
.@JohnCornyn also urging feds not to pull out of the 7 testing sites in Texas: "It’s pretty clear to me, and I think it’s clear to all of us, that with the uptick of cases, now is not a time to retreat from our vigilance in testing.”
