The U.S. Department of Justice will make $40 million available to victims of the 2012 fungal meningitis outbreak.
That's according to U.S. Rep. Mike Bishop, R-Rochester.
“Every victim deserves an advocate," Bishop said in a press release. "It’s been nearly four long years for these victims and their families, and now we’re finally getting some positive news,”
The meningitis outbreak was tied to tainted steroid injections administered at clinics in several states. Hundreds of people were sickened, and 64 died – including 19 in Michigan.
Bishop says the $40 million comes from federal criminal fines and penalties.
The fund is expected to be administered by the Massachusetts attorney general’s office. The compounding facility that made the steroid medication was based in that state.
Federal prosecutors have charged 14 people related to the incident. The owner and a top pharmacist at the facility head to trial later this year.
