MADISON, WI (WTAQ) — Governor Tony Evers announced a $100 million grant on Thursday – that will support providers most at-risk for financial hardship during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The grant program targets providers like emergency medical services, home and community-based services, and long-term care providers such as skilled nursing facilities and assisted living facilities.
“We recognize the significant burden the COVID-19 response has placed on these providers,” says Governor Evers, “We also recognize the integral role they play in ensuring the health and safety of some of our most vulnerable Wisconsinites and we want to support their efforts during this pandemic.”
The program is set to be administered in two parts for providers across the state.
“An initial phase of funds to support immediate needs, and a second, targeted release for additional needs of individual providers,” Evers says, “Both rounds of funding will be allocated to support expenses directly related to COVID-19, as well expenses associated with the interruption of typical operations.”
Those operations include things such as overtime pay, changes to sanitary procedures, and disruption to the standard delivery of care.
“The amount of money they receive through Medicaid is a barometer for how it will be determined how it’ll be distributed. And then from that, based on expenditures that have occurred,” Evers says, “These providers are experiencing significant challenges as pandemic related expenses – like purchasing necessary PPE and retaining workers have increased operating costs.”
The grant program is funded by the federal Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act.
