BUFFALO, N.Y. — Catholic Health is on the receiving end of two disaster relief federal grants for the COVID response in Western New York.
US Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) and Senator Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY) announced Thursday that Catholic Health will receive more than $35 million dollars in disaster relief funding that will help cover costs of their COVID response, including: emergency protective measures, increased staffing, temporary contract staffing of medical professionals, dating back to 2020.
“During the COVID-19 pandemic, Catholic Health System’s ramped up staffing and nurses, doctors and first responders worked 24/7 to ensure the safety of Western NY patients, but like so many other impacted hospitals, their bottom lines struggled to recover because of revenue losses related to increased costs during the public health emergency. I championed reimbursement for expenses incurred during the pandemic in my American Rescue Plan so Upstate hospitals would have the federal dollars needed to bounce back and continue providing lifesaving care,” said Senator Schumer. “That is why I am proud to deliver this $35 million federal boost to help reimburse Catholic Health System’s expenses and ensure that it has the resources and funding it needs, and deserves, to support its incredible medical staff, care for patients, and ensure they can continue to provide lifesaving care to Western NY communities.”
“Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, the staff at Catholic Health System provided life-saving care that kept New Yorkers safe,” said Senator Gillibrand. “These federal funds will reimburse the hospital for the costs associated with efforts that helped protect the health and safety of those in Western New York during the pandemic. I am proud to deliver this federal funding and will continue to fight for federal resources to keep New Yorkers safe.”
“The personal and financial impact of COVID-19 on our community and health system will be felt for years to come,” said Joyce Markiewicz, President & CEO of Catholic Health. “Despite the monumental challenges and great cost to our system, associates in our hospitals and nursing homes delivered the highest quality care to our community throughout the pandemic. We work hard every day to rebuild financially, and American Rescue Plan funds received in the past have helped immensely. The ongoing support of Majority Leader Schumer, Senator Gillibrand, FEMA, and the New York State Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services to ensure these COVID costs are reimbursed will go a long way in our post-pandemic recovery efforts.”
Both grants, one totaling $15,184,299 and another totaling $20,175,953 are from the US Department of Homeland Security's Federal Emergency Management System (FEMA).
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