U.S. SENATE – U.S. Senator Steve Daines today announced that the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), through the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), is distributing additional relief funds to assist our most vulnerable Montanans. Specifically, HHS will distribute approximately $15 billion to eligible providers that participate in state Medicaid and CHIP programs and have not received a payment from the Provider Relief Fund General Allocation. HHS is also distributing $10 billion in Provider Relief Funds for safety net hospitals.
“I’m glad to have helped secure these funds which are critical for our providers serving our most vulnerable patients in Montana,” Daines said. “These funds will help assisted living facilities and home and community based services providers who serve elderly and disabled Montanans in their homes as we continue to fight against this virus.”
Senator Daines helped secure funding through the bipartisan CARES Act and the Paycheck Protection Program and Health Care Enhancement Act, which allocated $175 billion in relief funds to hospitals and other healthcare providers, including those disproportionately impacted by this pandemic. Specifically, this funding announcement today will help assisted living facilities and home and community based providers who serve the elderly and disabled in their homes in Montana. Senator Daines will continue working with HHS and providers in the state to ensure senior care facilities are equipped to keep elderly Montanans safe.
Background:
- Senator Daines previously sent a letter on April 16, 2020, to U.S. Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Azar urging the department to direct funding from the Coronavirus economic relief package to support nursing homes, skilled nursing centers, and senior living communities during the COVID-19 pandemic
- On May 22nd, Senator Daines announced that the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) would be directing $15,615,000 to 60 Montana nursing facilities amid the coronavirus pandemic.
- Daines has been leading the efforts in Congress to respond to the coronavirus outbreak impacting the country. To read about Daines’ COVID-19 related efforts, click HERE.