U.S. Senators Bob Menendez and Cory Booker (both D-N.J.) today announced a combined total $126,278,315.30 in Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) funding to reimburse public agencies and several hospitals across New Jersey for expenses incurred during the start of the COVID-19 pandemic.
“The early days of the pandemic proved challenging for hospitals across the country as they dealt with a spike in additional patients, less staff, and strapped resources,” said Sen. Menendez. “But our hospitals throughout New Jersey faced the challenge head one, ensuring their patients and staff remained safe. This funding is critical so that these health care providers can continue providing quality care, while also taking care of the doctors, nurses, and administrative staff who keep their hospitals running every single day.”
“Since the onset of the pandemic, hospitals in New Jersey have been on the front lines caring for people with COVID-19,” said Sen. Booker. “This important federal award shows that we have their backs. I will continue fighting to secure the resources they need to protect public health.”
The following hospitals and agencies received funding:
- Hackensack Meridian Health Inc. $63,932,783.05
- Cooper University Hospital $28,719,845.82
- Atlantic Health Hospital Corp. $13,422,592.34
- Barnabas Health Inc. $11,391,103.66
- N.J. Office of the Attorney General $6,013,092.00
- Holy Name Hospital $1,716,400.50
- Port Authority of N.Y. & N.J. $1,082,497.93
In September, Sens. Menendez and Booker announced over $32 million in COVID reimbursement expenses to Cooper University. In October, they announced $7.6 million for Valley Hospital and $5.4 million for the New Jersey Department of Health for costs incurred during the beginning of the pandemic.
Last year, Sen. Menendez, who led a years-long effort to reform how FEMA responds to disasters, announced that the agency answered his call to eliminate the cost-sharing requirements for disaster grants. The directive issued by President Biden allows states and local governments to be retroactively reimbursed at 100% for eligible expenses to combat COVID-19 incurred since Jan. 2020, and to apply for full reimbursement for additional eligible expenses going forward.