More than $194 million in new federal grants will support Ebola preparedness activities at hospitals, fund regional networks for Ebola patient care, and create 10 “pathogen treatment centers” nationally, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) announced Feb. 20.
HHS, through the Office of the Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response, will award a total of $194.5 million to states and other grantees, including $162 million to support overall preparedness for state or jurisdiction-designated Ebola treatment hospitals, Ebola assessment hospitals, and Hospital Preparedness Program health care coalitions. HHS also will award $32.5 million to fund up to 10 states or cities to develop regional networks for Ebola patient care, including special pathogen treatment centers to manage outbreaks of Ebola and other infectious diseases. Applications are due to HHS April 22.
Essential hospitals have been on the front lines of preparing for and responding to cases of Ebola in the United States. Join the association for a Feb. 25 webinar exploring staff and patient difficulties, communications challenges, costs, electronic health record considerations, and readiness activities.
Please contact Beth Feldpush, DrPH, senior vice president of policy and advocacy, at bfeldpush@essentialhospitals.org or 202.585.0111 with questions.