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WASHINGTON, DC - Today, Congresswoman Debbie Dingell (MI-12) applauded the Biden-Harris Administration’s $7 billion investment to hire and train public health workers, as part of the American Rescue Plan.

“This pandemic has been devastating and eye-opening for our public health sector – we need to prioritize giving our workers the tools and resources they need to continue fighting this virus while also preparing for the next one,” said Rep. Dingell. “This American Rescue Plan funding is critical to creating more jobs and boosting our economy and simultaneously ensuring we’re prepared to face future pandemics and other public health crises.”

As part of this funding, $4.4 billion will go to surge public health staffing for COVID-19 response by:

·    Helping states and localities increase their public health staffing and expertise;

·    Launching public health AmeriCorps;

·    Recruiting and training public health leaders; and

·    Building the laboratory workforce and building capacity for future outbreaks.

This funding also provides $3 billion to create a program to modernize the public health workforce, further preparing the U.S. for future pandemics. 

Dingell is committed to supporting our nation’s public health workers, most recently sending a letter to the Administration urging for stronger worker and workplace safety measures during the pandemic.