Schumer, Gillibrand Announce Nearly $140 Million In Federal Relief Funding On The Way For Kaleida Health And Catholic Health For Covid Response

Schumer, Gillibrand Announce Nearly $140 Million In Federal Relief Funding On The Way For Kaleida Health And Catholic Health For Covid Response

Jul 18, 2024

Kaleida Health and Catholic Health System Heroically Provided Medical Staff And Resources To Manage Increased Patient Loads During COVID Outbreak

Schumer, Gillibrand: Federal $$$ Will Help Kaleida Health and Catholic Health System Recover From Economic Impacts Of COVID-19 Pandemic And Keep Up Lifesaving Care

U.S. Senate Majority Leader Charles E. Schumer and U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand today announced significant federal funding allocations to support the COVID-19 response efforts of Kaleida Health and Catholic Health System in Western NY.

The lawmakers said Kaleida Health will receive allocations totaling $65,430,523 and Catholic Health System will receive $74,176,334 from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security's Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). The senators said this significant federal investment, which comes from the provisions they championed in the American Rescue Plan, will help the hospitals recover costs associated with increasing staff, overtime labor, and emergency protective measures during the COVID-19 pandemic to help maintain healthcare in Western NY.

"During the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, heroic frontline workers at Kaleida Health and Catholic Health System worked around the clock, ramping up staffing so Western NY patients could continue to receive lifesaving care, incurring major costs while losing revenue. As my first major act as majority leader, I fought to pass the American Rescue Plan, which created reimbursements for expenses during the public health emergency so Western NY hospitals would have the support they needed to come back stronger and continue providing high-quality patient care. Today, with a whopping nearly $140 million starting to flow to Kaleida Health and Catholic Health System in Western NY, the federal government is keeping good on its promise to our hospitals and their workers, who heroically stepped up to protect public health," said Senator Schumer. "This major federal boost to help reimburse costs associated with hiring more nurses, staff and purchasing personal protective equipment to provide around the clock care will ensure the hospitals have the funding they need, and deserve, to support their incredible medical staff, care for patients, and continue to provide lifesaving care to Western NY communities."

"Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, the staff at Kaleida Health and Catholic Health System stepped up to provide life-saving care for countless patients across Western New York," said Senator Gillibrand. "These federal dollars will reimburse Kaleida Health and Catholic Health System for costs associated with the emergency protective measures taken during the pandemic to protect the health and safety of Western New Yorkers. I am proud to deliver nearly $140 million in federal funding to these providers and will continue to fight for federal resources to support our hospitals and keep New Yorkers safe."

"We are incredibly grateful that Sens. Schumer and Gillibrand have answered the call to help hospitals here in Western New York that were financially battered by the COVID-19 impact," said Don Boyd, president and CEO of Kaleida Health. "Their relentless advocacy with FEMA will help us recapture precious resources and reinvest back into the health system, which ultimately will positively impact patient care."

"The personal and financial impact of COVID-19 on our community and health system will be felt for years to come," said Joyce Markiewicz, President & CEO of Catholic Health. "Despite the monumental challenges and great cost to our system, associates in our hospitals and nursing homes delivered the highest quality care to our community throughout the pandemic. We work hard every day to rebuild financially, and American Rescue Plan funds received in the past have helped immensely. The ongoing support of Majority Leader Schumer, Senator Gillibrand, FEMA, and the New York State Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services to ensure these COVID costs are reimbursed will go a long way in our post-pandemic recovery efforts."

Kaleida Health's awards include $37,113,537 which will be awarded at 90% federal cost share and $28,316,985 at 100% federal cost share. Similarly, Catholic Health System awards include $6,508,545 at 90% federal cost share, and $67,667,788 at a 100% federal cost share.

Kaleida Health, the largest not-for-profit health care provider in the region, has five hospitals: Bradford Regional Medical Center, Buffalo General Medical Center/Gates Vascular Institute, Millard Fillmore Suburban Hospital, Olean General Hospital, and Oishei Children's Hospital. The system also provides long-term care at the High-Pointe on Michigan and the DeGraff Rehabilitation and Skilled Nursing Facility; as well as operates the DeGraff Medical Park, the Visiting Nursing Association of WNY, a major laboratory division, and over 80 clinics and healthcare centers, and multiple ambulatory surgery centers. Catholic Health System, a non-profit health care system serving Western New York communities, includes four hospitals on five campuses in Erie and Niagara Counties: Kenmore Mercy Hospital, Mercy Hospital of Buffalo, Mount St. Mary's Hospital, and Sisters of Charity Hospital. Additionally, Catholic Health System sponsors four long-term care facilities at St. Catherine Labouré Health Care Center, Mercy Nursing Facility at OLV, McAuley Residence, and Father Baker Manor; as well as operates three home care agencies, and a Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly, which operates at two locations in Western New York.

Schumer and Gillibrand have been relentless advocates in ensuring that Upstate communities have the federal resources needed to recover from the COVID-19 pandemic. As part of the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) the senators both championed, Schumer and Gillibrand secured historic funding levels to provide the supplies, emergency response, testing, and public health workforce to stop the spread of COVID-19. In 2022, Schumer also secured a first-ever agreement from FEMA that creates a pathway for reimbursement on previously rejected expenses incurred by hospitals in the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic, unlocking hundreds of millions for New York's hospitals, which otherwise would have been shouldered by the hospitals amidst the ongoing public health emergency.

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