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The new preliminary figures on Wednesday indicate the share of the Texas of the federal plans to accelerate $ 11.4 billion in subsidies in the pandemic era in States means that Texas could face more than $ 700 million in public health funding discounts.
The number – The first figure in dollars published on what Kirk Cole, main Texas and local public health advisor, was announced by Kirk Cole, principal advisor to the Texas Department of State Health Services Commissioner, Dr. Jennifer Shuford, during a agency committee meeting.
Two weeks ago, the United States Ministry of Health and Social Services notified the United States, it put an end to public health subsidies to the states made during the Pandemic COVID-19. Many state and local agencies have spent most of the grant that was to expire this summer. But most of the recalled money includes subsidies that should not expire before mid-2026.
“It is money that we knew would end, but not quite so early,” said Cole at the meeting of the Funding Committee and Public Health Policy on Wednesday on Wednesday.
It is not yet clear if $ 700 million, given to the state by HHS, are a final cost number for Texas. A spokesperson for the State Health Agency indicates that additional calculations have indicated that the number could be closer to $ 550 million.
As a result, around $ 147 million is the last estimated cost for local public health agencies, said Cole.
Cole and others during the meeting noted how long it has been waiting for data projects, the awareness of public health and the endowment in granting following the cuts.
Although subsidies have been designed to help vaccination efforts and other health costs related to COVVI-19, public health and local agencies have received a room for maneuver under the Biden administration to use money for other public health efforts, including vaccination for measles and efforts to provide better access to health care for low-income texans. It is not clear if reductions would mean layoffs within the State Health Agency.
“We are examining the impact on staff,” said Cole. “Many things to consider as we move forward.
The annual DSHS budget is around $ 1 billion. About half comes from federal funds, said Cole.
Local public health services are now rushing to find a way not to dismiss staff due to federal cuts. Dr. Philip Huang, director of public health at Dallas County, said that he had to dismiss 21 staff members. Lisa Dick, director of public health at Brownwood, said that she had to eliminate five positions but reduced the loss to three by moving positions and taking into account a retirement.
“It’s difficult,” she said.
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