Rural hospitals in Michigan are getting a boost in funding from the $13 million grant from the Health Resources and Services Administration to support COVID-19 testing and mitigation.
Each hospital will get about a quarter of a million dollars to use within eighteen months of receiving the money. The money must be spent on testing equipment, personnel, temporary structures, or education. The mitigation strategies funded by the grants must be part of the Centers for Disease Control mitigation framework which includes education, contact tracing, communication, and outreach.
Several hospitals in Michigan’s Thumb received the grants, including hospitals in Deckerville, Harbor Beach, Marlette, Sandusky, and others.
John Barnas, Michigan Center for Rural Health executive director said, “Rural hospitals have long been the cornerstone of rural communities and have been vital and steadfast in their response to COVID-19. This funding will benefit the communities greatly, allowing the hospitals to continue their diligent work in the battle against COVID-19 by increasing testing capacity and implementing mitigation strategies to reduce the effects of COVID-19.”
Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland
