Source: United States Senator for New Hampshire Jeanne Shaheen
December 14, 2021
(Washington, DC) – U.S. Senators Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH) and Maggie Hassan (D-NH) and Representatives Annie Kuster (NH-02) and Chris Pappas (NH-01) today welcomed $41,187,846 heading to New Hampshire to support 262 health care providers who have experienced revenue losses and expenses related to the COVID-19 pandemic. The funding comes as part of a $9 billion announcement in Provider Relief Fund (PRF) Phase 4 payments across the nation from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), through the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA).
Shaheen has led bipartisan efforts in the Senate to shore up the PRF to support providers on the frontlines of the pandemic. In September, Shaheen welcomed news that $25.5 billion through the PRF and American Rescue Plan (ARP) rural distribution portal would open after she and Senator Susan Collins (R-ME) discovered that 25% of allocated PRF funding was unspent. They led the push to quickly rectify it. Shaheen also fought to secure a set-aside for rural providers during ARP negotiations, and applauded HHS’ release of $7.5 billion in PRF funding for rural communities last month.
“As New Hampshire battles the worst rate of new COVID cases in the nation, our frontline health care providers are experiencing the brunt of that surge. This funding cannot come soon enough to help hospitals keep their doors open and save lives,” said Senator Shaheen. “I’m proud of the bipartisan efforts in the Senate through my partnership with Senator Collins to bolster the Provider Relief Fund, which has served as a lifeline for hospitals, doctors and health care professionals. I’m pleased to see $41 million swiftly reach New Hampshire during the crisis, and I’ll continue to work with the White House to ensure these federal resources reach the providers who need it most, especially in our rural communities which have been among the hardest hit. Only then can we end this pandemic once and for all.”
“I’ll continue to stand with our health care providers as they serve our communities and respond to the COVID-19 pandemic,” said Senator Hassan. “This funding will help protect Granite Staters’ health and wellness by making sure that our providers can stay open and operating, especially as we look ahead to the hard winter months. This pandemic is not over yet, but through federal funding such as this, the congressional delegation remains committed to getting New Hampshire the resources it needs.”
“Our Granite State doctors, nurses, and health care workers have been on the frontlines of this pandemic – as cases and hospitalizations rise, it is essential we support them as they continue to care for our communities,” said Rep. Kuster. “I’m thrilled health care providers throughout our state, especially in rural and underserved areas, will benefit from these funds to help offset revenue losses and expenses related to COVID-19. I will continue to lift up our New Hampshire health care workers as they strive to make high-quality care accessible to all.”
“With our health care facilities at or over capacity due to the recent surge of COVID-19 cases we’ve seen across New Hampshire, these federal funds could not come at a better time,” said Rep. Pappas. “Recruiting and retaining staff, purchasing personal protective equipment, and modernizing our facilities to encourage further use of telehealth services will help Granite Staters continue to safely access the care they need at this time. I’ll continue advocating for further investment in our health care systems and providers to ensure they have the resources needed to serve our communities.”
During negotiations with the Senate and White House on the American Rescue Plan, Shaheen helped steer efforts to increase funding for the Provider Relief Fund to ensure hospitals, nursing homes and other health care providers on the frontlines have the support they need to keep their doors open and continue to care for patients. Shaheen also defended the Provider Relief Fund from being considered as a pay-for amid negotiations on the historic bipartisan infrastructure legislation that recently was signed into law. She also wrote an op-ed on her efforts to bolster the Provider Relief Fund as a lifeline for providers in the Concord Monitor.
More information on the $9 billion announcement is available here.
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