U.S. Sen. Roy Blunt (R-MO) last week applauded action by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), which awarded more than $48 million in coronavirus relief funding to children’s hospitals in his home state of Missouri.
“This funding will help ensure children’s hospitals are able to continue providing high-quality, specialized care,” said Sen. Blunt, chairman of the U.S. Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies.
The funding was included in the Blunt-supported Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act, which was signed into law by the president on March 27. Missouri’s funds came from the CARES Act’s Paycheck Protection Program and Health Care Enhancement Act, which provided a total of $175 billion for America’s hospitals and healthcare providers, according to the senator’s office.
“Children’s hospitals are an important part of our state and nation’s coronavirus response efforts,” Sen. Blunt said. “But many of them, like other healthcare providers and hospitals, are in a difficult financial position after having to suspend non-emergency surgeries and purchase new equipment like PPE.”
As Congress negotiates the nation’s next coronavirus relief package, Sen. Blunt said he “will continue prioritizing relief for hospitals and providers so they have what they need to serve patients, save lives and respond to this pandemic.”