Federal aid targets rural hospitals in Oklahoma
Oklahoma hospitals will receive another $355 million in federal aid, with about $282 million going to rural hospitals and clinics, according to Oklahoma lawmakers.
“Now more than ever, Oklahomans are relying on the viability of our rural hospitals," said Rep. Frank Lucas, R-Cheyenne ." In communities across our great state, our rural hospitals — and their providers — are fighting on the front lines during this public health emergency and often so in the face of supply shortages and looming financial responsibilities." Lucas' district covers much of western Oklahoma, including
Texas County, where a COVID-19 outbreak has sickened about 120 people at a pork processing plant.
Lucas said the $281.8 million for rural providers will go to 163 rural acute care general hospitals and Critical Access Hospitals, rural health clinics and community health centers.
Pat ti Davis, president of t he Oklahoma Hospital Association, said Monday, “On behalf of our rural hospital members, we deeply appreciate the efforts of Oklahoma's federal delegation to target direct help to rural hospitals and clinics. This infusion of funds will go along way to keeping these rural facilities from becoming more COVID19 casualties.”
Congress has approved aid to hospitals and clinics to help compensate for the costs of COVID-19 care and also to make up for some of the revenue lost when providers were forced to stop performing elective surgeries. Gov. Kevin Stitt has allowed elective surgeries to resume.
Oklahoma hospitals and providers received nearly $500 million under the first installment of aid announced last month by the Department of Health and Human Services.
Republican U.S. Sen. Jim Inhofe said, “It is incredibly important that we continue t o bring f unding relief t o Oklahoma hospitals and medical providers as they combat this virus from the front lines. This money will not only provide relief to hospitals throughout the state, but it also includes additional funding for the areas particularly affected by the coronavirus and rural areas who are in need of more resources.”