Congresswoman Debbie Dingell (MI-12) led a letter with six of her colleagues in the Michigan Congressional Delegation to U.S. Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Xavier Becerra requesting assistance addressing the monkeypox outbreak in Michigan.
“Monkeypox is typically spread by close physical contact with an infected individual, and can cause painful sores, fever, headache, and exhaustion for several weeks. While the mortality risk is low, the disease presents a heightened risk to people who are immunocompromised or pregnant, as well as other vulnerable groups,” the lawmakers write. “Given the rapid rise of cases, timely and aggressive action is critical to mitigate the public health threat of monkeypox. As the State of Michigan continues to devote significant resources to addressing COVID-19, additional support from the federal government is critical to provide a strong and sustained response to monkeypox.”
Specifically, the delegation requests that HHS:
1. Utilize existing federal authorities to obtain additional allocations of vaccines, including continuing to work closely with manufacturers and international partners to obtain more vaccine doses to distribute to Michigan and other states at risk from monkeypox;
2. Expand access to diagnostic testing to ensure that that public health officials, as well as frontline medical providers in Michigan and elsewhere have the tools necessary to diagnose, test and trace the monkeypox outbreak; and
3. Continue to coordinate closely with state and local officials on the ground to ensure that these resources are being directed appropriately to the areas of greatest need.
The letter is signed by Representatives Dan Kildee (MI-05), Brenda Lawrence (MI-14), Elissa Slotkin (MI-08), Andy Levin (MI-09), Haley Stevens (MI-11), and Rashida Tlaib (MI-13).
