AHA Statement on HHS Announcement on Distribution of Additional Funds for Hospitals Serving Rural Patients

Rick Pollack

President and CEO

American Hospital Association

July 10, 2020

The AHA is pleased that HHS will be distributing additional funds from the CARES Act emergency relief fund to hospitals serving rural patients and hospitals serving high numbers of Medicaid and uninsured patients, as we have urged. Hospitals with high Medicaid volume provide care to our most vulnerable patients and communities, many of which have suffered disproportionately from this virus. Even before the pandemic these hospitals operated under serious financial pressure, and these funds will help them continue to stay open and provide care to all who need it. Hospitals serving rural patients also face tremendous financial headwinds, with many being forced to close their doors in recent years. This additional funding from HHS will help these hospitals carry out their mission of providing care close to home for patients in communities across the country.

The AHA continues to urge remaining emergency funds be sent as soon as possible to hospitals and health systems on the front lines, especially as we see COVID cases and hospitalizations rise in many states.

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Contact:        Colin Milligan, (202) 638-549, cmilligan@aha.org
                      Marie Johnson, (202) 626-2351, mjohnson@aha.org