Pennsylvania State Capitol building in Harrisburg, Pa
Matt Rourke / AP Photo
Pa. lawmakers plan to steer federal stimulus funds to nursing homes, small businesses and counties
The plan proposes to distribute two-thirds of the state’s $3.9 billion allotment of CARES Act money
By Jan Murphy/PennLive
Matt Rourke / AP Photo
Pennsylvania State Capitol building in Harrisburg, Pa
With our coronavirus coverage, our goal is to equip you with the information you need. Rather than chase every update, we’ll try to keep things in context and focus on helping you make decisions. See all of our stories here.
What you should know
» Coronavirus facts & FAQ
» Day-by-day look at the coronavirus in Pa.
» Red, yellow, green: What to expect in each of Pa.’s tiers for reopening
Pennsylvania nursing homes, small businesses and counties would be among the biggest recipients of some of the federal stimulus money under a plan that the House Appropriations Committee is expected to consider on Thursday morning.
The plan proposes to distribute two-thirds of the state’s $3.9 billion allotment of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act, or CARES Act, money.
Nursing homes would be one of the biggest beneficiaries in the plan’s distribution of $2.6 billion, receiving over $600 million for test kits, personal protective equipment, and other expenses to support their operation, according to a top-level House GOP source.
Other highlights of the proposal include $200 million for grants to small businesses, $600 million for county block grants, and nearly $260 million for the Intellectual Disabilities Community Waiver Program and Autism intervention services provided through the state Department of Human Services, along with a number of areas to receive funding.
The remaining $1.3 billion would be held in reserve until it becomes clear where more resources may be needed as the state continues to combat the disease, sources say. But lawmakers wanted to get an initial portion of the money out to those on the front-line who are deeply affected by the pandemic.
Nursing and personal care homes have been among the hardest hit by the disease.
As of Wednesday, according to the Department of Health, 17,518 people at 596 of nursing and personal care facilities in 44 counties tested positive for the coronavirus. That represents a quarter of the state’s cases to date.
Out of the state’s 5,265 COVID-19-related deaths, 3,469 – or two-thirds – occurred in residents of those facilities.
The American Health Care Association and National Center of Assisted Living estimate the cost of testing the state’s more than 220,000 nursing home and assisted living communities residents and staff once would be about $33 million.
Gov. Tom Wolf has set a goal of administering a weekly coronavirus test to well over 100,000 people in long-term care facilities across the state and has said the state would foot the bill.
Hearing of the anticipated forthcoming aid was welcomed by Adam Marles, president & CEO of LeadingAge PA, which represents hundreds of nonprofit nursing homes statewide.
“We appreciate efforts to provide considerable stimulus funding for nursing homes, personal care and assisted living facilities. They remain at the epicenter of this pandemic,” he said.
He went on to suggest that this emergency funding should be distributed based on the number of overall licensed beds per facility. Further, he said since there is no vaccine and the possibility of a second wave of this pandemic, this funding “must be part of a long-term commitment and strategy to fund needs for PPE, testing and staffing.”
The appropriations committee is scheduled to meet at 10:30 a.m. on Thursday when this proposal is expected to be considered.
PennLive and The Patriot-News are partners with PA Post.
Sometimes, your mornings are just too busy to catch the news beyond a headline or two. Don’t worry. The Morning Agenda has got your back. Each weekday morning, host Tim Lambert will keep you informed, amused, enlightened and up-to-date on what’s happening in central Pennsylvania and the rest of this great commonwealth.
