By TX3DNews Staff | April 15, 2025
While West Texas counties battle the largest measles outbreak the state has seen in decades, TX-03 has so far remained untouched — and that’s a blessing. But for how long? As case numbers climb past 500 statewide and public health officials scramble to contain the spread, funding cuts at both the federal and state level are beginning to raise serious questions.
Let’s start with the facts: As of today, there have been no confirmed measles cases reported in Collin County or the cities of McKinney, Plano, Frisco, Allen, and Princeton. That’s the good news. But the outbreak is moving fast, and the virus doesn’t care about district lines.
The Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS) reports 541 confirmed cases, most concentrated in Gaines, Lubbock, and Dallam counties. Tragically, at least three people — including two children — have died. Dozens more have been hospitalized. And health officials warn that low vaccination rates and underreporting may mean the true scope is even larger.
What Happened to the Funding?
In a report published by The Dallas Morning News, Dallas County officials revealed they had to cancel more than 50 vaccination events due to the loss of approximately $70 million in federal funding. These weren’t minor pop-ups — they were school-based clinics and community outreach efforts intended to protect vulnerable populations.
Meanwhile, The Associated Press reported that Texas has lost roughly $125 million in immunization-related federal funding during the same period the outbreak began. Public health departments are now dealing with canceled clinics, fewer boots on the ground, and fewer shots in arms — during an outbreak.
That raises a question that Texans in TX-03 and beyond deserve an answer to: Why would the federal government choose this moment — in the middle of a contagious disease outbreak — to cut funding to vaccine programs?
No Statement from Rep. Keith Self
As of this writing, Rep. Keith Self (R-TX) has not made a public statement regarding the ongoing measles outbreak or the recent federal funding cuts impacting vaccine access in Texas. While he has remained active on social media promoting election-related legislation, including the SAVE Act and the so-called “FIZZ-NO Act,” he has yet to address what state health officials have described as a preventable public health crisis.
To be fair, the funding decisions in question are largely made at the federal agency level — not in Congress. But constituents might reasonably ask their representative to speak up, especially when lives (and children’s lives, at that) are involved.
TX-03: Still Safe, But Not Immune
Collin County, home to many families who travel frequently for work and school, isn’t immune to outbreaks like this. And while vaccination rates in parts of TX-03 are higher than in West Texas, the growing trend of vaccine hesitancy could leave gaps in protection.
Health officials recommend that parents check their children’s vaccination records and that adults who are unsure of their immunization status get updated. The DSHS has even moved to recommend the first MMR dose at 6 months old in some areas, down from the standard 12 months, due to increased risk.
Final Word
So far, TX-03 has avoided this outbreak. But silence from our representatives and slashed funding from above won’t keep measles out. Public health systems don’t just run on policy — they run on resources. And right now, the system meant to protect Texans is being asked to do more with less.
The outbreak is real. The funding cuts are confirmed. And the questions are only getting louder.
— TX3DNews.com
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