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DeLauro, Roybal-Allard Call for Answers from HHS, DHS on Children Being Put at Risk of Infectious Diseases

August 5, 2019

WASHINGTON, DC (August 5, 2019) –Today, Congresswomen Rosa DeLauro (CT-03), Chair of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education, and Lucille Roybal-Allard (CA-40), Chair of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Homeland Security, sent a letter to HHS Secretary Alex Azar and DHS Acting Secretary Kevin McAleenan requesting answers on how the agencies are dealing with the risk of infectious diseases. This is especially important as flu season is just a few months away.

"Enclosed you will find a letter from doctors from Harvard and Johns Hopkins expressing concerns about the threat of infectious diseases, especially influenza, inside ORR and DHS facilities holding children who have entered the United States through the Southern border," wrote the Chairwomen. "We share their concerns that poor conditions in these facilities may be exacerbating the spread of infectious diseases that poses significant health risks to the other children around them."

"When we visited the Homestead detention facility on July 15, 2019, we left with serious questions about the screening, treatment, isolation, and prevention protocols of infectious diseases, particularly influenza," continued the Chairwomen. "Given we are mere months away from the start of flu season, it is imperative that we receive answers to the questions posed by these preeminent health experts."

A signed copy of the letter can be found here. The doctors' letter to DeLauro and Roybal-Allard can be found here.

Issues:Health Care