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Texas Congressional Democratic Delegation Requests Prioritization of Individuals of Low-Income Households for COVID-19 Vaccine

January 14, 2021

WASHINGTON, D.C.Today, the Texas Congressional Democratic Delegation sent a letter to Governor Greg Abbott, requesting the prioritization of low-income individuals and households for COVID-19 vaccine distribution. The delegation released the following statement:

"I stand with the Texas Congressional Democratic Delegation in calling on Governor Abbott to prioritize low-income households and individuals in the continuous rollout of the COVID-19 vaccine to vulnerable populations," stated Congressman Al Green, Chairman of the Texas Congressional Democratic Delegation for the 117th Congress. "Low-income individuals, already at increased risk of negative health outcomes, have been on the frontlines of this pandemic as workers at grocery stores, support staff in hospitals and schools, sanitation workers, and truck drivers as well as those at greater risk of unemployment due to pandemic job cuts. We are appealing to Governor Abbott to protect low-income individuals and households by prioritizing them as a vulnerable population in the distribution of the vaccine."

The full text of the letter can be found HERE.

Members of the Texas Congressional Democratic Delegation provided the following comments regarding the urgency of the Governor of Texas taking up this request:

Congressman Marc Veasey (TX-33) – "The COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated the existing health care disparities that face low-income communities. I am proud to join my fellow Texans here today to call on Governor Abbott to prioritize the vaccination of vulnerable low-income households and individuals because these are the frontline workers Texans depend on to get our essential services, everything from healthcare to food from our grocery stores. Not only is this the moral thing to do, this will create a positive ripple effect across our state."

Congresswoman Eddie Bernice Johnson (TX-30) – "This vaccine is our only opportunity to end this pandemic, and it is absolutely critical that the state of Texas prioritizes low income communities in the upcoming phases of vaccine rollout. We must ensure that low income households have access to this vaccine, especially since these vulnerable and medically underserved Texans were some of the most impacted by COVID-19 in recent months."

Congressman Lloyd Doggett (TX-35) – "While his botched vaccine rollout has disadvantaged all Texans, Governor Abbott is likely to continue disregarding the needs of vulnerable working families just as he has by failing to support access for many of them to health insurance through Medicaid. Our message today seeks to prioritize protection for the neglected—those who have borne a disproportionate share of infection and death from Trump Administration denial, delay and ongoing deception."

Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee (TX-18) – "Because more than half of all in-hospital deaths due to COVID-19 during the first six months of 2020 were among Black and Hispanic patients, according to a new study led by researchers at the Stanford University School of Medicine and Duke University School of Medicine. We must act to prioritize these communities. We know that Black and Hispanic people made up 58% of all patients hospitalized for COVID-19 and 53% of those who died from the disease. We must recognize the devastating impact of COVID-19 on low-income communities in Texas, many of whom are Black and Brown. From a high prevalence of preexisting conditions to limited employment opportunities to additional structural inequities resulting from implicit bias and racial discrimination, there are several factors why communities of color are disproportionately affected by the coronavirus. Governor Abbott must prioritize low-income households and individuals in the distribution of the COVID-19 vaccine. I stand with the Texas Congressional Democratic Delegation in urging Governor Abbot to make low-income communities a priority in this process."

Congressman Henry Cuellar (TX-28) - "I worked hard, along with my colleagues in the Texas delegation, to secure billions in federal funds for our country's vaccine distribution in the recent COVID-19 relief package. However, this critical tool in our fight against the pandemic will only be effective if disproportionately-impacted communities have access to them. That's why we are calling on the Governor to address this wrong and ensure that low-income populations have priority in receiving a vaccine. As a senior member of the Appropriations Committee, I am committed to securing additional resources for our vaccine distribution to ensure the health and well-being of all Americans."

Congressman Filemon Vela (TX-34) – "The unfortunate reality is that access to health care services and health outcomes for low income communities are far worse than other groups in this country. As Governor Abbott continues the mass rollout of the vaccine, I hope he takes our recommendations into serious consideration. Low income communities are disproportionately overrepresented in essential jobs that make them more likely to be exposed to this deadly virus. These workers have been the backbone of our country's response to this pandemic and kept our country running. Prioritizing their health is not only the right thing to do but also in the best interest of our state."

Congressman Colin Allred (TX-32) – "This horrible virus has disproportionately affected low-income and high risk minority communities across Texas and calls for a targeted response. I was proud that funding for equitable vaccine distribution was included in the most recent relief package and am now proud to join my colleagues in urging the Governor to include these Texans as priority populations in vaccine distribution. I thank Chairman Green for leading this push and look forward to working together across all levels of government to stop the spread of COVID-19 and save lives."