REGIONAL— Several area health care providers and area ambulance services received grant funds as part of an emergency funding package by the Legislature in March to provide resources to address the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Department of Health, which administered the funds, announced last week that it had awarded $50 million in short-term, emergency funding to approximately 350 health facilities and ambulance services around the state. The MDH received more than 1,600 requests, totaling more than $300 million, which meant many requests went unfunded or under-funded.
Among area hospitals, successful applicants include:
• Cook Hospital- $75,000
• Ely-Bloomenson Community Hospital- $75,000
• Rainy Lake Medical Center- $75,000
Among community health centers, Scenic Rivers Health Services will receive $130,283, while the Bois Forte Indian Health Service will receive $43,193.
Among area ambulance services, successful applicants include:
• Babbitt Ambulance- $8,600
• Ely Area Ambulance- $50,000
• Orr Area Ambulance- $5,050
• Tower Area Ambulance- $8,500
• Virginia Ambulance- $60,000.
The funds can be spent in the following ways:
• The establishment and operation of temporary sites to provide testing services, to provide treatment beds, or to isolate or quarantine affected individuals.
• Development and implementation of screening and testing procedures.
• Additional emergency transportation of patients.
• Development and temporary information technology and systems costs to support patient triage, screening, and telemedicine activities.
• Staff overtime and hiring additional staff.
• Staff training and orientation.
• Expenses related to the isolation or quarantine of staff.
• Other expenses that cannot reasonably be expected to generate income for the recipient of the funds after the outbreak ends.