CDC Awards $60M To Washington Health Departments

WASHINGTON — Sen. Patty Murray on Tuesday announced $60 million in new grant funding headed to health departments in Washington. According to Murray's office, the grants are part of the $3 billion secured for public health efforts in the American Rescue Plan Act, along with $200 million for public health infrastructure in the spending bill.

"People in Washington state want to know our public health departments have what they need to protect families and save lives—which is why I fought so hard for this funding, and continue to fight for more," Murray said in a statement Tuesday. "Thanks to these grants, public health departments across Washington state will be able to hire and train staff, modernize data systems, strengthen local partnerships, address inequities, improve communication to fight misinformation, and make sure they have whatever they need to serve our communities."

The bulk of the grants, roughly $44 million, will go to the state Department of Health to support its own infrastructure and aid local health departments across the state, Murray's office said. Another $19 million will go to Public Health - Seattle & King County.