Congressman Mackenzie Secures Release of over $585 Million for Pennsylvania Health Care Providers

Washington, D.C. - Congressman Ryan Mackenzie (PA-07), representing the Lehigh Valley and the Poconos, has secured the release of over $103 million to support hospitals and other health care providers in the Lehigh Valley and the Poconos. This funding comes in the form of covid-era Public Assistance Grants from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), which were intended to help offset pandemic-related costs to hospitals. While a significant portion of that funding was distributed, close to $600 million in reimbursements for Pennsylvania health care providers dating back to 2020 had remained outstanding.

In March, Congressman Mackenzie led a letter to FEMA requesting the release of Pennsylvania's funds. Recently, FEMA informed the Congressman's office that it was releasing hundreds of millions of dollars for Pennsylvania health care providers, including several in the Lehigh Valley and the Poconos. Congressman Mackenzie was joined on his letter by members of Congress from Pennsylvania, including Reps. Brian Fitzpatrick (PA-01), Rob Bresnahan (PA-08), Dan Meuser (PA-09), Lloyd Smucker (PA-11), John Joyce (PA-13), Glenn "GT" Thompson (PA-15), and Mike Kelly (PA-16).

Funding for local hospitals and networks includes:

"Health care providers throughout the Lehigh Valley and the Poconos made critical, costly investments in safeguarding public health during the covid pandemic. Working alongside our local providers and members of Pennsylvania's congressional delegation, we requested that FEMA release the funding needed to complete the recovery. The over $103 million that we have helped to secure will reimburse pandemic-related costs and assist providers in continuing to deliver top-quality care to our communities," said Congressman Mackenzie.

"We appreciate Congressman Mackenzie's help in bringing together members of the delegation to deliver the release of these long-overdue FEMA Public Assistance funds," said Baligh R. Yehia, MD, MPP, MSc, President of Jefferson Health. "During the COVID-19 emergency, systems like Jefferson and Lehigh Valley Health Network, which is part of Jefferson Health, moved quickly to expand capacity, support frontline staff, and maintain access to care under unprecedented strain. This reimbursement will help us to continue to serve our communities."

"We are grateful to receive this FEMA grant, and the support it provides, following Good Shepherd's efforts throughout the pandemic to protect the health and safety of our patients, residents, staff, and community," said Good Shepherd Rehabilitation President & CEO Michael Spigel, PT, MHA. "This funding helps offset the significant costs we incurred to continue delivering essential care - from enhanced infection control and diagnostic testing to deep disinfection, expanded personal protective equipment needs, and more."

Read the letter HERE

See the Congressman's March press release HERE

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