File photo
File photo
A Dallas County judge now believes it was miscommunication that prompted a letter from the governor's office addressing the possible loss of federal funding for a temporary hospital that was built at the the Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center to help respond to patient overflow from the coronavirus pandemic.
NBC DFW reports that County Judge Clay Jenkins says the letter, sent by Gov. Greg Abbott’s Chief of Staff Luis Saenz, claimed Jenkins did not plan to use the convention center.
Federal assistance was jeopardized if Jenkins did not make his intentions for the facility known by April 6, the letter said. Saenz said if the federal funding was not used in Dallas County, the federal government could transfer it to a location where the equipment are 240 beds were needed.
According to NBCDFW, Saenz wrote, "I have been informed that you suggested to the Department of Defense – or other federal officials – that you would not be utilizing the Kay Bailey Hutchinson Convention Center for hospital and healthcare use as has been provided by the federal government (Department of Defense, US Health and Human Services, FEMA, and the US Army Corp of Engineers) and the Texas National Guard in coordination with Gov. Abbott.”
He also said that “his decision was at odds with the needs and concerns articulated by Mayor Eric Johnson.”
“We have accepted the [federal funding] and we have been working every day since March 23, 2020 to ensure that the physical plant and equipment are in place,” Jenkins responded.
He also expressed “disappointment” that the office drafted a letter, as Jenkins said the governor's office had his cellphone number.
Jenkins said the Dallas hospital network is at 50% capacity, according to DallasNews, which is why the extension hospital has not been used.
President Donald Trump was asked to interject on the matter, to which he denied the federal government had any plans to immediately dismantle the hospital.
"We’re never going to do anything to hurt Texas," the president said. "We’re only helping Texas.”
Alerts Sign-up