“The Indian Health Service has received more than $1 billion in additional resources to prevent, prepare for, and respond to the coronavirus pandemic…”
“The Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act, or CARES Act, passed by Congress and signed by the president last week directed:
- A minimum of $450 million for distribution to IHS directly operated programs, tribal health programs, and urban Indian organizations;
- A maximum of $65 million for electronic health record stabilization and support; and
- The remaining funds can be allocated at the discretion of the IHS director for COVID-19 response activities, with up to $125 million transferred to the IHS facilities account for coronavirus related facilities activities.”
“The IHS will immediately allocate $570 million to IHS and tribal health programs and $30 million to urban Indian health programs through existing distribution channels. Additional details on how this $600 million will be distributed can be found in a letter Weahkee sent to tribal and urban Indian organization leaders. The IHS plans to distribute remaining CARES Act funds in the coming weeks…”
“These resources are in addition to the $134 million IHS announced last week for COVID-19 testing and response, and the $80 million announced two weeks ago, including $40 million available as grants, from the CDC for tribal and urban Indian health programs to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic. The White House also announced yesterday that the IHS will have priority access to rapid point-of-care coronavirus tests…” Read the full press release here.
Source: IHS receives more than $1 billion for coronavirus response – April 3, 2020. Indian Health Service.
