Trump Administration Walks Back Plan To Cut Funding For Testing Sites In Texas

TOPLINE

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services granted a 14-day extension of support for five of seven federally funded coronavirus testing centers in Texas on Friday, after the Trump administration’s announcement that it was ending its support for 13 testing sites was met with widespread criticism.

KEY FACTS

Key Background

The Trump Administration has falsely blamed the recent rise in coronavirus cases across the country on increased testing, with President Donald Trump claiming during his recent Tulsa rally that he told officials to “slow the testing down.” Though experts have explained that the spike in cases cannot be attributed to more testing alone—as evidenced by rises in hospitalizations and positivity rates in testing—Vice President Mike Pence continued to repeat the claim in remarks Friday about the coronavirus pandemic, saying that it’s “almost inarguable that more testing is generating more cases.” 

“To one extent or another, the volume of new cases coming in is a reflection of a great success in expanding testing across the country,” Pence said.

Big Number

137,457: The number of coronavirus cases in Texas as of Friday afternoon, as reported by the New York Times.

Further Reading

Trump—After ‘Slow The Testing Down’ Remark—Will End Federal Funding For Testing Sites (Forbes) 

Lawmakers from both parties urge Trump administration to keep funding seven coronavirus testing sites (Texas Tribune)