Florida dealt with its fair share of Zika cases. In some instances, some southern parts of the state took extra precautions to prevent the virus’ spread.
To help, the U.S. Congress passed a bill committing millions of dollars to help fight Zika, but according to Governor Rick Scott the money has been slow to arrive in the Sunshine State.
Recently, the Florida Republican said President Barack Obama signed a bill for more than $1 billion in Zika funding, but “the federal government has still only committed $7 million” to help Florida.
PolitiFact Florida heard the claim and gave it a HALF TRUE rating.
Writer Josh Gillin said $15 million dollars is promised to Florida, but only part of it has arrived; about $7.5 million.
“The federal goverment keeps track of where that money is, what they're using it for, so there's more money coming to the state of Florida, but also we need to keep in mind that there are other sources of funding for Zika, some $9 million worth of grants for research and for other uses related to this, and Scott's really not mentioning that,” Gillin said.
For that reason, Scott’s claim received a HALF TRUE rating.
Scott says Florida Zika funding withheld
- Gov. Rick Scott, Press release about Zika, Dec. 2, 2016
- Florida Department of Health, Daily Zika update, Accessed Dec. 5, 2016
- Centers for Disease Control, Press release, Oct. 21, 2016
- CQ Roll Call, "Florida Governor, Obama Administration at Odds Over Zika Money," Nov. 1, 2016
- Miami Herald, "How $1.1 billion will be spent on Zika," Sept. 29, 2016
- Miami Herald Naked Politics, "Scott takes victory lap on $1.1B Zika funding but wants more federal help," Sept. 29, 2016
- Miami Herald, "Federal Zika funding to arrive in next three months as researchers push for vaccine," Oct. 3, 2016
- Miami Herald, "In fight against Zika, Florida yet to use all federal money available," Sept. 26, 2016
- Miami Herald, "Gov. Rick Scott lifts last Zika zone in Miami Beach," Dec. 9, 2016
- PolitiFact, Fact-checks about Zika, Accessed Dec. 6, 2016
- Interview, Mara Gambineri, Florida Department of Health spokeswoman, Dec. 6-9, 2016
- Interview, Kevin Griffis, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Dec. 6-9, 2016
- Interview, Steve Ellis, Taxpayers for Common Sense vice president, Dec. 9, 2016
- Interview, Thomas Bognanno, CEO/President Community Health Charities of America, Dec. 9, 2016