FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CONTACT: Hannah Muldavin, Hannah.Muldavin@mail.house.gov

Trone, Maryland Congressional Delegation Announce More Than $20 Million in Emergency Federal Funding to Support MedStar Health’s COVID-19 Response

WASHINGTON – U.S. Congressman David Trone and Senators Ben Cardin and Chris Van Hollen and Congressmen Steny H. Hoyer, Dutch Ruppersberger, John Sarbanes, Kweisi Mfume, Andy Harris M.D., Anthony G. Brown, Jamie Raskin today announced $20,776,025 in emergency federal funding to help MedStar Health respond to the COVID-19 pandemic.  Funding comes from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and is authorized under Section 403 of the Stafford Act.

“The dedicated doctors, nurses and essential personnel of MedStar Health make up the ranks of Maryland’s healthcare heroes. They have sacrificed greatly to provide life-saving care to individuals during the COVID-19 crisis,” said the lawmakers. “This new federal funding will help keep healthcare workers safe and well-equipped as they continue to respond to the pandemic.”

The funding will help:  

• Support epidemic response training for staff;
• Improve facility disinfection efforts;
• Communicate important public health guidance and information to the general public;
• Provide critical protective equipment and supplies;
• Enhance security at health care facilities;
• Boost medical equipment, care and transport; and
• Strengthen temporary quarantining and the delivery of care when responding to COVID-19.

This latest round of federal emergency assistance comes after the Maryland Delegation successfully obtained swift approval of a major disaster declaration for the state.

The delegation previously announced the approval of emergency mental health services through the FEMA Crisis Counseling Assistance and Training Program, which was also a result of the major disaster declaration.