U.S. Rep. Rob Bresnahan (R-PA) applauded the May 13 release of nearly $600 million in delayed reimbursements for Pennsylvania hospitals that took on significant out-of-pocket costs as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The disbursement of funding from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) comes less than two months after Rep. Bresnahan sent a letter to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services advocating for the release of the unobligated funds.
“This is a welcome announcement for the hospitals and providers who care for our families daily,” Rep. Bresnahan said on Wednesday. “Pennsylvania hospitals stepped up during COVID-19 and did everything asked of them and more to protect patients and support frontline workers. This funding is going to go right back into the system, meaning more support for patients and medical professionals alike.”
During the pandemic, FEMA offered public assistance grants to help offset COVID-19-related costs to hospitals. While a large portion of the funding was distributed, almost $600 million in reimbursements was still owed to Pennsylvania hospitals, he said.
The Geisinger System, which includes Geisinger Community Medical Center in Scranton, Pa., and Geisinger Wyoming Valley Medical Center in Luzerne County, Pa., was awarded nearly $200 million, according to the congressman’s office, while $7.8 million was awarded to the Pocono Medical Center DBA Lehigh Valley Hospital in East Stroudsburg, Pa., and more than $2 million went to the Northeastern Pennsylvania Health Corporation in Luzerne County.