Press Releases
Reps. DelBene, Kilmer Call for an Immediate Response to Washington’s Additional COVID-19 Needs
Washington, D.C.,
March 9, 2020
Tags:
Health
Today, Congresswoman Suzan DelBene (WA-01) and Congressman Derek Kilmer (WA-06) led a bipartisan effort by the Washington congressional delegation calling on the Trump administration to immediately fulfill Washington state’s additional needs to combat the COVID-19 outbreak. “Ongoing support at the highest levels of the U.S. government is critical to our state’s ability to respond to this epidemic,” lawmakers say in a letter to Vice President Pence, the administration’s lead on COVID-19. “We recognize that, as the first state to deal with a COVID-19 outbreak of this magnitude, eyes around the country are closely watching the Washington state response.” On Friday, Washington Governor Jay Inslee sent additional requests to the federal government to support the state’s response to the virus. These requests include ensuring COVID-19 testing is accessible to those who need it, supporting individuals and families financially impacted by the outbreak, and providing additional personal protective equipment (PPE) from the Strategic National Stockpile. Last week, Congress passed an $8.3 billion emergency spending package to support the response to COVID-19. Congresswoman DelBene led efforts to deliver Washington state the resources it needs, including backfilling costs already incurred by the state and local public health agencies. This package will immediately provide Washington $11.5 million and includes additional funds going forward. Congresswoman DelBene also visited EvergreenHealth, the health system caring for many of the COVID-19 patients, on Saturday to discuss its ongoing needs as the facility manages the outbreak, including additional PPE. ### For questions or concerns about the virus, individuals should consult their health care provider, contact their local health department below, or visit the CDC’s website. Local Health Department Contact Information Washington State: 800-525-0127 King County: 206-477-3977 Snohomish County: 425-339-5200 Skagit County: 360-416-1500 Whatcom County: 360-778-6000 |