U.S. Senate Majority Leader Charles E. Schumer and U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand announced $27,940,643.70 in federal funding for the Beth Israel Medical Center in New York City. The funding was allocated by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). Many hospitals and health centers have exceeded their normal and assisted operating budgets due to the demands of the pandemic draining their resources. Beth Israel Medical Center used approximately 63,000 overtime hours to meet the increased demand of treating COVID-19 patients. This significant federal investment will be used to cover previous costs associated with overtime hours, operations, and equipment needed to expand hospital capacity.
“I’m proud to deliver these federal COVID-recovery funds to help cover the massive costs of equipment, increased staffing, and operations. Beth Israel Medical Center needed to increase capacity to meet patient demand and valiantly serve our communities throughout the pandemic,” said Senator Schumer. “I’ll continue to support our local hospitals as we work to stop the spread of COVID-19 by vaccinating as many New Yorkers as possible so we can safely and fully reopen.”
“The COVID-19 pandemic has stretched our hospitals to the limit,” said Senator Gillibrand. “Beth Israel Medical Center provided over 60,000 overtime hours solely to treat COVID-19 patients while maintaining normal operations. This significant federal investment will help Beth Israel continue their world class care as we continue the push to treat patients, vaccinate New Yorkers, and contain the spread of COVID-19. This critical investment will offset additional operating costs in order to meet the demand of the moment, and I will continue fighting for the resources needed to keep our communities safe.”
Beth Israel Medical Center played a critical role in executing New York State’s COVID-19 testing plan early in the pandemic and have provided resources and support including medical supply distribution, medical care for management control, and reduction of immediate threats to public health and safety. This Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) funding is authorized under Section 403 of the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act.