Menendez, Booker Announce Over $43M to Help NJ Hospitals Combat COVID-19

Statement

U.S. Senators Bob Menendez and Cory Booker today announced that Hackensack Meridian Health Inc. and Virtua Health Systems were awarded a combined $43,748,796.80 in Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) funding to support its hospitals as New Jersey experiences an uptick in COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations. Both health care provider networks operate locations throughout New Jersey.

"As COVID-19 quickly spreads across our state, New Jersey's health care providers need all the resources they can get to keep up with patient demand and an increase in hospitalizations," said Sen. Menendez. "I'll continue fighting in Washington to ensure that our state has what it needs to deal with this pandemic. The second wave is upon us and I remind all New Jerseyans to be vigilant, wear a mask and practice social distancing. We must all do our part."

"New Jersey hospitals continue to serve a crucial role in the fight against COVID-19 by providing critical care to those who need it most," said Sen. Booker. "Federal funding like this is another important step toward battling this pandemic and protecting the health and safety of all New Jerseyans."

Hackensack Meridian was awarded $32,792,639.38 for the reimbursement and future purchases of COVID-19 test kits and personal protective equipment, such as gloves, goggles, face shields, N95 respirator masks, and sanitizer at its 17 hospital locations across Bergen, Essex, Hudson, Middlesex, Monmouth and Ocean counties. They also have physician offices, urgent cares and rehabilitation facilities across the state.

"Hackensack Meridian Health applauds FEMA's commitment to ensuring that strong, resilient health systems remain at the epicenter of COVID-19 in New Jersey. Our frontline teams have heroically and tirelessly provided high-quality, groundbreaking care to more patients than any other health network in the state, and this grant fortifies their continued leadership in the battle against this devastating pandemic," said Robert C. Garrett, FACHE, CEO of Hackensack Meridian Health. "We are grateful to Senators Menendez and Booker, and all members of the New Jersey delegation for their unrelenting support of frontline workers and securing the funding that New Jersey needs to respond to COVID-19."

Virtua was awarded a $10,956,157.56 federal reimbursement for the purchase and distribution of medical supplies and personal protective equipment. Virtua has five hospital locations in Burlington and Camden counties, plus 270 other medical facilities.

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