New funding awarded to assist hospitals across PA; $100M to Geisinger

PLAINS TWP. — Gov. Tom Wolf Thursday announced that nearly $324 million in funding has been awarded to 31 hospitals across the commonwealth through the Hospital Emergency Loan Program, or HELP, which provides short-term financial relief as hospitals combat the surge of COVID-19 cases in their area.

Geisinger will receive $100 million of that money for seven of its facilities.

“As Pennsylvania continues to practice social distancing, we have successfully flattened the curve, but we know that our fight against COVID-19 is far from over,” Wolf said. “This funding will allow our hospitals to hold steady in that fight with the peace of mind that they have access to the resources they need to provide critical care to their communities.”

The loan package was made available to the commonwealth’s hospitals to provide immediate financial support for working capital to ensure that these facilities have sufficient personnel, equipment, and personal protective equipment.

Geisinger released the following statement:

“We are appreciative of the support from the state and continue working to manage the financial challenges COVID-19 is presenting to health systems across the Commonwealth and beyond. The $100 million Hospital Emergency Loan Program (HELP) funding to our Pennsylvania hospitals will help support critical services during these uncertain times until the loan is repaid in full plus interest within the state’s guidelines.”

The money will be distributed to facilities in the following counties:

Geisinger Medical Center, Montour

Geisinger Lewistown Hospital, Mifflin

Geisinger Bloomsburg Hospital, Columbia

Geisinger Jersey Shore Hospital, Clinton

Geisinger Wyoming Valley Medical Center, Luzerne

Geisinger Community Medical Center, Lackawanna

Geisinger Holy Spirit Hospital Cumberland

The funding was dispersed by the Pennsylvania Infrastructure Investment Authority (PENNVEST) and is being administered by the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development (DCED) through the Pennsylvania First Program (PA First).

“Our number one priority is protecting the health and well-being of Pennsylvanians, and that priority extends from the home to the hospitals,” Wolf said. “By distributing this emergency funding to our commonwealth’s health care system, we are safeguarding our hospitals working hard to combat this virus.”

The federal Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act was signed into law on March 27, 2020, with the goal of easing the financial strain of the pandemic and smoothing the transition back into regular health care operation.

Pennsylvania health care facilities licensed as hospitals by the Pennsylvania Department of Health under the Health Care Facilities Act of 1979 that are eligible to receive federal grant funding through the CARES Act are eligible for HELP.