Spanberger Breaks Dam on Provider Relief Fund Payments as Omicron Surges, Announces $163 Million for Virginia Healthcare Providers & Senior Living Facilities

Statement

After repeatedly pushing the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to release remaining Provider Relief Fund (PRF) dollars to American healthcare providers, U.S. Rep. Abigail Spanberger today announced $163 million in PRF funding to support Virginia's healthcare workforce and patients as they combat COVID-19 and its variants.

Today's award of $163 million will help Virginia healthcare providers recruit and retain staff, purchase masks and other supplies, modernize existing facilities, and cover other expenses related to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. According to HHS, payments to individual providers will begin later this week.

"This announcement is long overdue. For the thousands of Virginia men and women working in our hospitals and clinics, the past two years have been marked by an ever-raging battle to keep their patients safe and healthy, protect their families, and make sure their doors remain open. In the face of the continued threats posed by the Delta and Omicron variants, delays in Provider Relief Fund payments only make their lives more difficult," said Spanberger. "I would like to thank the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services for announcing $163 million for Virginia today -- but we are nowhere near finished in our response to the pandemic and in our efforts to keep our doctors, nurses, hospital staff, and assisted living employees safe. In the weeks and months ahead, I will keep working to give additional certainty to our healthcare providers, cut red tape, and provide additional flexibility so providers can put this funding to work."

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