The Trump administration announced it will end federal funding for 13 coronavirus testing sites across the country, including seven locations in Texas.
Federal backing for the 13 sites ends June 30, when it will be refocused on 600 pharmacy sites and 1,300 health centers, Brett Giroir, the assistant U.S. health secretary, said in an email.
U.S. Sen. John Cornyn, R-Texas, told reporters Wednesday he wants the funding to continue.
“I know there’s concern, concern I share, over some of the statements being made about withdrawing federal support for coronavirus testing in Texas at the end of June. 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,” Cornyn said.
Four of the sites are in the Houston area and two of them test more than 500 people each day. Other sites to lose funding are in El Paso and Dallas.
“I believe that they need to extend that federal support in Texas, at least until we get this most recent uptick in cases addressed.”
