Hawai‘i Nursing Homes Set To Receive Nearly $40 Million To Stay Operational, Cover Cost Of Staff, Testing, PPE

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Brian Schatz (D-Hawai‘i) today announced that 39 nursing homes across Hawai‘i will receive nearly $40 million in new federal funding to stay operational during the COVID-19 pandemic. The new federal funds will cover lost revenue at nursing homes and additional expenses attributable to the coronavirus, including staffing, testing, treating patients, and purchasing personal protective equipment (PPE).

“Residents of nursing homes and long-term care facilities are some of the most vulnerable to COVID-19, so we need to make sure we are doing all we can to protect them,” said Senator Schatz, a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee. “This new federal funding will give Hawai‘i nursing homes additional resources to prevent the spread of COVID-19 in these facilities and keep residents and workers safe.”

Certified skilled nursing facilities with six or more certified beds are eligible for this funding. Each facility will receive $50,000 plus $2,500 per bed. The new funding is part of the $175 billion Provider Relief Fund provided by the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act and the Paycheck Protection Program and Health Care Enhancement Act.

Earlier this month, Schatz called on Hawai‘i Governor David Ige to take additional steps to protect Hawai‘i residents living in long-term care facilities.

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