SCHUMER, GILLIBRAND ANNOUNCE NEARLY $200 MILLION IN EMERGENCY FEDERAL FUNDING FOR NEW YORK CITY HEALTH AND HOSPITALS’ COVID-19 RESPONSE AND RECOVERY OPERATIONS
Senators Secured Funding For Critical Medical Supplies And PPE Like Ventilators and N-95 Masks; Funding Also Supports Local Hospital Infrastructure And Equipment, COVID-19 Testing And Staffing For Health Care Facilities
Funding For PPE And Other Supplies Supplements City’s Local Resources As They Continue To Rebuild And Recover From COVID-19
U.S. Senators Charles E. Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand today announced $199,625,267.63 in federal funding for New York City’s Office of Management and Budget for Emergency Protective Measures. These federal funds are administered through the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). Specifically, the federal funding will reimburse New York City for the cost of purchased medical supplies and personal protective equipment (PPE) including ventilators, N-95 masks, face shields, medical gloves and gowns, and pharmaceuticals. The funding will also be used to cover the cost of expanded hospital infrastructure and equipment, including the construction of field hospitals and other emergency support facilities. Lastly, the funding also covers New York City’s investment in COVID-19 testing, nurse surge staffing, and staffing in food and cleaning services in health care facilities.
“I’m proud to deliver these federal funds to help cover the massive costs of PPE, hospital infrastructure, COVID-19 testing, and staffing for our health care facilities right here at home,” said U.S. Senator Charles Schumer. “There are so many components to a safe recovery and reopening and we must support our city’s local resources in the process. The safety of our healthcare workers, hospital infrastructure to support a potential influx of patients, testing to mitigate the spread of COVID-19, and staffing for our health care facilities is top-of-mind for me when fighting for funding for our communities.”
“New York’s health care workers have worked tirelessly to keep our communities safe, and we must ensure they have the essential PPE and infrastructure needed to treat patients and save lives,” said Senator Gillibrand. “Ensuring the safety of our first responders and health care centers is key to getting New Yorkers safely back to work. For months, I have fought for this relief and I will continue fighting in the Senate for the resources New Yorkers need during this pandemic.”
This project is authorized under Section 403 of the Robert T. Stafford Act, which allows for Federal agencies to provide assistance in meeting immediate threats to life and property resulting from a major disaster. Additionally, this federal funding represents the first half of New York City’s Office of Management and Budget reimbursement for FEMA’s qualifying Emergency Protective Measures.
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