(Washington, DC) – U.S. Senators Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH) and Maggie Hassan (D-NH) and U.S. Representatives Annie Kuster (NH-02) and Chris Pappas (NH-01) welcomed $3,208,705 to support 24 New Hampshire health care providers that have experienced revenue losses and expenses related to the COVID-19 pandemic. The funding comes as part of a $414 million national announcement in Provider Relief Fund (PRF) Phase 4 payments from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), through the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA). Today’s allocation follows an announcement earlier this month totaling $3.8 million in PRF dollars.

Shaheen has led bipartisan efforts in the Senate to shore up the PRF to support providers on the frontlines of the pandemic. In September, Shaheen welcomed news that $25.5 billion through the PRF and American Rescue Plan (ARP) rural distribution would open after she and Senator Susan Collins (R-ME) discovered 25% of allocated PRF funding was unspent and led the push to quickly rectify it. Shaheen also fought to secure a set-aside for rural providers during ARP negotiations. Last month, Shaheen introduced bipartisan legislation to support overwhelmed providers by delaying complex PRF reporting requirements until after the end of the public health emergency, and extending the use of PRF dollars to enhance workplace safety.

“Two years into the pandemic, our health care providers are still feeling the financial burden spurred by the COVID crisis, from managing patient care for those afflicted with the virus to continuing normal operations and meeting payroll. As we try to turn the corner two years later, ensuring our frontline providers can mitigate the economic impact is crucial to our short and long-term recovery,” said Senator Shaheen. “I’m glad to welcome additional Provider Relief Funds to two dozen Granite State providers to alleviate the financial strain. The PRF has been vital to New Hampshire health care facilities throughout the pandemic and continues to be a lifeline as we look toward our recovery. I’ll keep working in Congress to deliver the assistance our communities need to treat people, stay safe and rebuild.”

“New Hampshire’s health care providers have been pushed to the brink these last two years, and as we get back to normal, so too must we invest in the readiness and resiliency of our health care providers,” said Senator Hassan. “This federal funding will help ease many of the financial challenges brought on by the pandemic and ensure that New Hampshire health care providers can continue to deliver best-in-class care for Granite Staters. I am pleased that this funding will help our ongoing efforts to strengthen our health care system and entire economy.”

“Our health care system was pushed to its limits by the COVID-19 pandemic, and it is essential we support our providers in New Hampshire as we build back from this crisis,” said Congresswoman Kuster. “These federal resources for smaller health care providers across our state will offset additional costs created by the pandemic and help ensure our doctors, nurses, and health care workers have the tools and support needed to continue serving our communities.”

“Granite State health care providers have done everything asked of them and more to over the last two years to help New Hampshire weather the storm of the pandemic and keep our families and communities healthy,” said Congressman Pappas. “The arrival of this federal support is welcome news as our providers work to help our state overcome the pandemic while continuing to provide the vital everyday care that our state needs.”

In December, the delegation welcomed more than $41 million through the PRF to support 262 health care providers who have experienced revenue losses and expenses related to the COVID-19 pandemic. Last month, they also welcomed an additional $11 million to 25 New Hampshire providers through the PRF as part of a $2 billion distribution nationwide.

During negotiations with the Senate and White House on the American Rescue Plan, Shaheen helped steer efforts to increase funding for the Provider Relief Fund to ensure hospitals, nursing homes and other health care providers on the frontlines have the support they need to keep their doors open and continue to care patients. Shaheen also defended the Provider Relief Fund from being considered as a pay-for amid negotiations on the historic bipartisan infrastructure legislation that recently was signed into law. She also wrote an op-ed on her efforts to bolster the Provider Relief Fund as a lifeline for providers in the Concord Monitor.

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