Governor Greg Abbott today announced that the Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) is providing $ 128 million in U.S. federal bailout funding to rural hospitals and nursing homes to support health care providers during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Funds for the grant programs were authorized under Senate Bill 8 in the Third Special Session. Direct grant funds will cover critical staffing needs in rural hospitals and nursing homes statewide.
“This funding will provide vital support to rural hospitals, nursing homes and other health care providers across the state who continue to work tirelessly to fight COVID-19,” Governor Abbott said. “We are grateful for the continued efforts of our healthcare professionals who compassionately serve their fellow Texans.”
“Healthcare providers have worked tirelessly to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic and these grant programs will help them fill critical gaps in their workforce while continuing to serve vulnerable Texans,” said Trey Wood, Chief Financial Officer of HHSC.
HHSC is distributing approximately $ 90 million to nursing facilities in Texas with an active license as of November 8, 2021 under the Nursing Facility COVID-19 in Healthcare Relief Grant (NF-CHRG) program. Each eligible facility will receive $ 75,000. The grant can be used for critical staffing needs, such as bonuses and hiring contract staff.
The agency is also distributing approximately $ 38 million or $ 250,000 to each eligible rural hospital under the Rural Hospital COVID-19 in Healthcare Relief Grant (RH-CHRG) program. The funds are discretionary and can be used by rural hospitals to support losses of staff, infrastructure or revenue related to the pandemic.
HHSC will administer the grant agreements to legally authorized representatives of the approximately 1,200 eligible nursing facilities and approximately 150 eligible rural hospitals in January 2022, and they will have 15 working days to sign the agreement. Six months after the award, grantees must submit documents to HHSC regarding how they have used the funds.
Separately, rural Texas hospitals, nursing homes, community workers, home health agencies, and other long-term care providers will have the opportunity to apply for $ 325.3 million in competitive grants. in early 2022. Information on the competitive bidding process will be posted on the HHSC website as it becomes available.
Funds for the grant programs were authorized under Senate Bill 8, 87th Legislature, 3rd Called Session, 2021. The money comes from the Coronavirus State Fiscal Recovery Fund (42 USC Section 802) established under the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (Pub .L. N ° A117-2).
For more information on the COVID-19 Healthcare Relief Grants Program and COVID-19 Rural Hospital Relief Grants Program in Healthcare, visit: https: //www.hhs. texas.gov/business/grants/covid-19- grants-relief-health.
This press release was provided by the office of Texas Governor Greg Abbott.
