$1.2M heading to NJ hospitals combating COVID-19

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The New Jersey Hospital Association will receive $1,232,698 from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services to boost its Hospital Preparedness Program (HPP), to help hospitals throughout the state combat the COVID-19 outbreak.

U.S. Sens. Bob Menendez and Cory Booker, both Democrats, announced the award on Tuesday. The senators fought to secure this funding in the emergency COVID-19 spending package that was signed into law last month.

According to the senators, New Jersey has the second most positive cases in the nation, with more than  68,000 confirmed and 2,800 reported deaths. The surge in cases in the state, which is not expected to peak until later this month, has caused a strain on hospital resources.

“New Jersey’s hospitals are on the frontline of this crisis and they need the resources to take this outbreak head on,” said Menendez. “This funding will help ensure our state’s health care system can treat patients suffering from COVID-19. I’ll continue fighting for the resources and federal funding our hospitals need to battle the outbreak.”

Booker said New Jersey’s health care professionals have worked tirelessly to contain the spread of this virus and protect the health and safety of all New Jerseyans.

“This federal funding will help New Jersey hospitals and other health systems continue to prepare for and respond to this public health crisis,” he said.

NJHA will distribute these funds to hospitals, nursing homes and Programs of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE) organizations that are on the frontlines of the crisis and with the greatest burden of care. The health care providers can then use these funds to update their emergency preparedness plan, purchase personal protective equipment, and train staff members.

The HPP provides funding and technical assistance to every state and territory to ensure their health systems can respond and recover from an outbreak or disaster, like the current COVID-19 pandemic or Superstorm Sandy. This means statewide, hospitals can collaborate to ensure the residents of that state can get the medical care they need in the event of an emergency.