State hospitals receive $2.6M in additional federal funding
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Virginia hospitals will share about $2.6 million in federal dollars to purchase additional medical equipment and support preparedness planning, the US Department of Health and Human Services announced today.
The new round of funds will be dispersed through HHS’s Hospital Preparedness Program to the Virginia Hospital and Healthcare Association for COVID-19 preparedness and response activities under the Virginia Healthcare Emergency Management Program.
VHEMP — a partnership between the Virginia Department of Health and the VHHA —aims to address and close gaps in the Virginia healthcare system’s ability to plan and respond to natural and manmade disasters. Through an established network of six healthcare coalitions, VHEMP works with Virginia healthcare facilities and response organizations to identify and address gaps in healthcare preparedness and response in their local areas.
“Virginia hospitals and health systems play a critical role in planning for and responding to public health emergencies in the Commonwealth,”said Sean T. Connaughton, the president and CEO of the Virginia Hospital & Healthcare Association.
“[T]his enhanced Assistant Secretary for Preparedness Response funding provides continued support for that important work. We are grateful to Virginia’s congressional delegation for their efforts to support health care providers and public health emergency planning efforts.”
U.S. Congresswoman Abigail Spanberger (D-7th District) said the money would be meaningful for state hospitals.
“This much-needed funding from HHS is another step toward strengthening the Commonwealth’s response and preparing our healthcare providers for the weeks and months ahead,” said Spanberger.
