1. United States
2. Texas
3. Letter

An ongoing measles outbreak in Lubbock, Texas has infected over 300 people, including the tragic death of a 6-year-old child. Federal funding cuts have severely impacted the ability of local health departments to effectively respond and contain this outbreak. The Lubbock Public Health Director has stated that the termination of COVID-era grants has forced them to pause activities and stop accruing additional costs immediately. These grants had allowed them to hire temporary staff, nurses, and epidemiologists to assist with vaccinations, testing, and responding to this crisis. Without these funds, efforts to vaccinate vulnerable populations and stop the spread of this preventable disease will be significantly hindered. Robust public health funding is critical to protect our communities, especially during outbreaks of dangerous infectious diseases like measles. I urge you to take immediate action to restore funding streams that support local health departments in combating public health emergencies and strengthening immunization programs. Protecting our constituents' health and safety must be a top priority.