Rep. Axne Announces More Than $7,500,000 for Iowa Hospitals through Coronavirus State Hospital Improvement Program

 Rep. Cindy Axne (IA-03) announced a $7,588,530 program grant for the Iowa Department of Public Health to support Iowa’s rural hospitals in addressing the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak in rural communities. 

The funding provided by the Coronavirus State Hospital Improvement Program was funded within the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act, which was passed unanimously by Congress late last month.

“Our small, rural hospitals across the state are all financially struggling to cope with the direct and indirect impacts of COVID-19,” said Rep. Axne. “I’m pleased to see this critical funding coming back to Iowa to help our rural health providers who have told me that they need support while continuing to respond to COVID-19 cases and provide Iowans with essential health care services.”

The funding will go towards helping hospitals purchase testing and laboratory services or replenish critical supplies like personal protective equipment (PPE). The Iowa Department of Public Health is charged with distributing the grant funding across Iowa.

Last week, Rep. Axne sent a letter to House committee leaders outlining her priorities for rural communities.

In the letter, Axne cited the need for immediate and direct financial assistance for rural hospitals and health centers – recommending that future legislation include no interest loans, a hospital debt relief program, and provisions to give hospitals the flexibility they need to meet the needs of their communities during the COVID-19 outbreak.