BREAKING: Gianforte Withholding Hundreds of Millions for Coronavirus Response, as COVID cases surge
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Thursday, May 6, 2021
CONTACT
press@montanademocrats.org
BREAKING: Gianforte Withholding Hundreds of Millions for Coronavirus Response, as COVID cases surge
Helena, MT – As newly reported cases reached almost 4,000 in Montana, Governor Greg Gianforte continues to sit on millions of federal and state dollars allocated for Coronavirus vaccination, prevention, and mitigation. Gianforte’s Department of Public Health and Human Services (DPHHS) quarterly report from the end of 2021 reveals the administration has let hundreds of millions of dollars, allocated to fight the pandemic, go unspent. The Administration’s American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) Funding Update from early January reveals the Governor has distributed zero dollars for immunization programs and Variant testing. As case numbers reach historic highs, Montanans deserve to know why their Governor is withholding critical funding. Let’s take a look at the money left on the table:
ARPA awarded the state $12.8 million for “Vaccine distribution, confidence, & supply chains: DPHHS Immunization Program”— Gianforte has distributed zero dollars
ARPA awarded the state $1.5 million for Covid Variant Testing — he has distributed zero dollars
ARPA awarded the state $7.3 for “Public Health Workforce Capacity Enhancement” – he has spent zero dollars
CARES II (HB3 and HB 630) allocated $58 million for epidemiology and laboratory capacity – Gianforte’s administration has spent just $10.5 million
Total Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act (CRRSAA) funding that Gianforte is sitting on:
Unspent $47.5 million for epidemiology and laboratory capacity
Unspent $10.6 million for immunizations
Unspent $130.8 million for testing, tracing, and mitigation
“This is either gross incompetence or this is willful negligence,” says MDP Executive Director Sheila Hogan. “This behavior reveals an utter disregard for the hardworking Montanans who are struggling to rebuild after the Pandemic, for the health care workers and emergency responders who have worked tirelessly to keep us safe, and for the taxpayers who deserve to see their money come home.”
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