Bresnahan Urges Release of Nearly $600 Million in COVID Relief Funds for Pennsylvania Hospitals

WASHINGTON, DC: Today, U.S. Representative Rob Bresnahan, Jr. (PA-08) announced he sent a letter to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) requesting the release of nearly $600 million of previously unobligated Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Public Assistance funds related to COVID-19 response costs. Rep. Bresnahan joined Rep. Mackenzie in sending the letter, as well as Reps. Brian Fitzpatrick (PA-01), Dan Meuser (PA-09), Lloyd Smucker (PA-11), John Joyce (PA-13), Glenn "GT" Thompson (PA-15), and Mike Kelly (PA-16).

During the COVID pandemic, FEMA offered Public Assistance grants to help offset the significant costs to hospitals. While a significant portion of that funding was distributed, close to $600 million in reimbursements to Pennsylvania health care providers remain outstanding.

"Pennsylvania hospitals stepped up during COVID-19 and did everything asked of them and more to protect patients and support frontline workers," said Rep. Bresnahan. "FEMA should stop dragging its feet and release the funds these providers were promised so they can keep caring for families across the Commonwealth."

"The COVID pandemic placed an enormous strain on hospitals throughout our commonwealth - requiring providers to absorb large, short-term expenses in order to save lives," said Rep. Mackenzie. "As our health care providers work to complete their COVID recovery and prepare for the future, they're counting on full reimbursement via the funding that the federal government has already allocated. Distribution of the $600 million in outstanding Public Assistance funds will provide critical support for Pennsylvania providers and empower their ability to provide the highest quality care."

"Hospitals are among the most vital institutions in any community, and during the COVID-19 pandemic, Pennsylvania's hospitals proved exactly why," said Rep. Fitzpatrick. "At the heart of that effort were extraordinary doctors, nurses, and health care professionals who worked tirelessly under immense pressure to care for the sick, protect those around them, and serve as a lifeline for families during a time of profound uncertainty. That service came at a significant cost, and these hospitals should not still be waiting for support intended to help shoulder that burden. We will continue pressing to ensure the hospitals of Bucks and Montgomery counties-and across Pennsylvania-receive the resources they were promised and rightfully earned."

"Hospitals across Pennsylvania provide exceptional care to our communities every day," said Rep. Smucker. "This was especially true during the COVID-19 pandemic. Pennsylvania hospitals should receive the Public Assistance funding they are owed for the critical services they delivered."

You can read the letter here or below:

Dear Secretary Noem,

We write to request the timely distribution of previously unobligated Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Public Assistance funds related to COVID-19 response costs for hospitals across the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, hospitals across Pennsylvania took extraordinary steps to protect public health and ensure continued access to care. Health systems rapidly expanded treatment capacity, secured protective equipment for frontline workers, and adapted their operations to meet the needs of patients during an unprecedented national emergency. These efforts required significant resources and placed immense financial strain on providers serving communities across the Commonwealth.

While FEMA approved substantial reimbursements through the Public Assistance Program, a significant portion of Pennsylvania's funding has still not been fully processed. Nearly $600 million in reimbursements for Pennsylvania hospitals and health systems remains outstanding, delaying the support that providers were promised for their pandemic response efforts.

We also note that recent advocacy by Members of Congress helped secure the release of approximately $2 billion in FEMA reimbursements for New York hospitals. We appreciate FEMA's responsiveness in resolving those claims and hope that a similar effort can ensure that Pennsylvania providers receive the funds that have already been approved for them.

Thank you for your attention to this matter and for your continued work supporting communities across the country. We appreciate your consideration and look forward to working with the Department to ensure these reimbursements are delivered in a timely manner.

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