HHS Announces $126 Million in Relief Funds for Disaster-Related Health Services
HHS Secretary Tommy Thompson on Sept. 21 announced the provision of $126.15 million to fund "support services" delivered in response to the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center. Part of a $5.1 billion disaster-relief package announced last week by President Bush, the HHS funds will be used to help New York City health care facilities to offset the "extraordinary costs" of responding to the health care needs of the disaster; to provide support for "populations with special needs" and long-term mental health services; and to fund community health centers. The funding, made available through HHS' Public Health and Social Services Fund, includes:
- $55 million for health care services. Of that allotment, $35 million will fund emergency grants to "disaster-affected" health care providers, especially hospitals. An additional $10 million will go to community health centers to provide care for the uninsured. The final $10 million of the allotment will "assure ongoing operation" of Medicare reimbursement in New York.
- $28 million for mental health services, including $21.2 million to assist mental health systems already in place. An additional $6.8 million will fund crisis mental health services.
- $25 million for social services, including $23.7 million in grants to states affected in the disasters to care for people with special needs, including children, families and people with disabilities. The remaining $1.3 million will be administered through HHS' Administration on Aging to assist the elderly and the homebound.
- $10.4 million will fund "environmental hazard control," including $5 million to provide for the safety of the emergency workers on the scene and $5.4 million in "technical assistance" for hazardous environmental exposure and needs of people with asthma.
- $7.75 million will fund security and "other activities." Of that amount, $4.5 million will go to HHS agencies to improve security of "key research facilities and medical materials." The other $3 million is designated for "emergency response resources" (HHS release, 9/21).
This is part of the Morning Briefing, a summary of health policy coverage from major news organizations. Sign up for an email subscription.
