$6.1 Million+ in Relief for Health Care Providers

U.S. Senator Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), a senior member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, and U.S. Senator Maggie Hassan (D-NH) and Representatives Annie Kuster (NH-02) and Chris Pappas (NH-01) announced that $6.1 million is coming to NH health care providers affected financially by COVID-19. The funding was awarded by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ (HHS) Provider Relief Fund as part of $100 billion in health care provider appropriations provided under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act and $75 billion from the Paycheck Protection Program and Health Care Enhancement Act, both of which were passed by Congress and signed into law.
 
“As our public health experts continue to warn us: this crisis is not over. Our health care providers remain on the frontlines and are in urgent need of resources, especially those in underserved communities, which face tremendous financial challenges,” said Senator Shaheen. “I continue to hear from our health care providers about the need for additional support, so I’m relieved to see these federal funds come back to New Hampshire where they’ll immediately be put to use. I’ll keep fighting for the funding that our providers in every part of the state need so that they can continue to safely and efficiently do their jobs and take care of our impacted communities.”
 
“This significant federal grant will deliver much-needed financial assistance to help health care providers across our state continue to provide life-saving care,” Senator Hassan said. “I will keep working to secure additional federal resources to help support our health care system during this challenging time and ensure that Granite Staters and all Americans have access to high-quality health care.”
 
“Access to high-quality health care should never be dependent on one’s zip code, including care for COVID-19,” said Representative Kuster. “This funding will help ensure New Hampshire’s hospitals – many of which serve vulnerable populations – have the support and resources they need to care for patients during the coronavirus pandemic. I’m pleased to help announce this funding and will continue working to ensure Granite State communities have what they need to get through this public health emergency.”
 
“Hospitals in small towns and rural communities have faced enormous hurdles in mitigating the spread of COVID-19 and treating those in need,” said Representative Pappas. “This additional CARES Act funding will provide much-needed relief to rural hospitals across our state and ensure they can continue to serve their communities in these difficult times. I am committed to continuing to work with our federal delegation to advocate for every resource available to get our state the support we need to fully re-open our economy while keeping Granite Staters safe.”
 
The congressional delegation helped secure additional funding for health care providers by holding firm during negotiations of the CARES Act. In May, Shaheen, Hassan, Kuster, and Pappas announced $1.4 million to boost NH hospitals’ readiness and response capabilities to COVID-19. Earlier that month, they announced $19.78 million in support through the CARES Act to help NH nursing facilities. In early April, the delegation announced that NH providers received $164.5 million from an initial installment of health care provider grants. They also announced $115.4 million in COVID-19 relief funds for rural hospitals and health care providers, as well as an additional $16 million for Granite State providers. The delegation has also called on the Trump administration to expeditiously award more grant dollars from the Provider Relief Fund established under the CARES Act. In a letter to Senate leadership, Shaheen laid out critical healthcare-related priorities that need to be included in future coronavirus response legislation.