HHS: $250 Million More to Fight COVID-19 and Expand Telehealth

Continuing to allocate funds from March’s CARES Act, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) is providing another $250 million to medical practices struggling with COVID-19. 

Even as lockdowns are beginning to relent in many parts of the country, specifically those first hit by the pandemic, case numbers are still rising elsewhere. With the medical health emergency far from over, HHS is directing funds towards institutions in need, hoping to enable providers “to train workforces, expand telemedicine and the use of virtual healthcare, procure supplies and equipment, and coordinate effectively.” 

The new funding adds to the initial $100 million released in April, bringing the department’s total contribution towards medical practices to $350 million since the coronavirus began to spread. In particular Telehealth services have never been more in demand, a fact reflected in the numerous regulation changes the care option has seen in recent months.

Speaking about the $250 million allocation, HHS Secretary Alex Azar said, "While our country mourns those we have lost from this pandemic, we continue to support America’s hospitals and heroic frontline healthcare workers who are treating COVID-19 patients and saving American lives.”  He continued on to cite the importance of maintaining day-to-day medical activities alongside the persistent fight against the virus.

Part of the funding will also go towards supporting and expanding the National Special Pathogen System, a system of interconnected treatment centers established to respond to highly infectious diseases. At its core is NETEC (National Emerging Special Pathogens Training and Education Center), an organization established in the wake of the 2014 Ebola crisis. 

For a full breakdown of where the funds will be going, state-by-state, you can read more on the HHS funding overview page, and read the department’s official statement.