Reps. Raúl M. Grijalva, Ann Kirkpatrick, and Tom O’Halleran sent a letter to Governor Doug Ducey urging the state to distribute federal COVID-19 relief funds to local jurisdictions for the purpose of testing its residents for COVID-19.
Pima County has spent more than $50 million on testing. With the rise of the Delta variant in Arizona, Pima County has been forced to increase its testing numbers significantly. The state has declined to reimburse Pima County testing operations during peak periods.
The letter states, “As you know, testing is a critical component in helping to ease and eventually end this pandemic. Unfortunately, this is not the first time we have raised concerns with your office.”
According to the press release, Congress provided $847 million in Epidemiology and Laboratory Capacity for Prevention and Control of Emerging Infectious Diseases (ELC) for the state of Arizona. The federal funding was allocated to states to disperse amongst local health departments for COVID-19 testing and prevention needs at the local level. However, only a small portion of the federal ELC funds has been allocated to localities.
The letter requests more information about the denial of reimbursement for Pima County’s testing operations.
“Additionally, we are requesting information on the state’s intended use of ELC funds moving forward, including what percent you intend to sub allocate and any needs, and equity assessments that have been conducted,” the letter states. The letter asks to distribute the funds “quickly.”
Rep. Grijalva stated on Twitter, “Congress appropriated millions of dollars for COVID-19 testing and relief to localities, but the state of Arizona and Gov. Ducey continue to fail to distribute federal COVID-19 relief funds for testing resources to local jurisdictions like Pima County.”
