Texas lawmakers seek more COVID-19 resources

A group of Texas legislators recently forwarded correspondence to Health and Human Services (HHS) officials requesting increased resources in response to the Rio Grande Valley COVID-19 surge.

Reps. Filemon Vela (D-TX), Vicente Gonzalez (D-TX), Henry Cuellar (D-TX) were joined by Sens. John Cornyn (R-TX) and Ted Cruz (R-TX) in forwarding the correspondence to HHS Secretary Alex Azar requesting the government provide additional financial support and establish a field hospital.

“Providers in our region have urgently requested additional staffing and a myriad of medical supplies including oxygen, ventilators, personal protective equipment, and dialysis machines as well as additional facilities to enhance critical care and discharge capacity,” the lawmakers wrote. “The rapid deployment of federal resources would go a long way to alleviate and augment the local response as we continue to experience increases in COVID-19 cases. We appreciate your consideration of our requests and look forward to working with you to provide much-needed relief to South Texas.”

The legislators indicated 10 of 12 Rio Grande Valley hospitals were at capacity over the holiday weekend.

“Our overstretched and overworked health care personnel are working overtime to save as many lives as possible, but they don’t have the personnel and medical equipment to meet the demands they are now facing,” Vela said. “The establishment of a Federal Medical Station, as well as increased funding for hospitals, is urgently needed to help support RGV health care professionals’ efforts to help save lives during this crisis.”