AUSTIN, Texas (CBSFW.COM) – Rural hospitals and nursing homes that experienced staff shortages during the COVID-19 pandemic are receiving much needed financial assistance.

The Texas Health and Human Services Commission is providing $ 128 million in federal American Rescue Plan Act funding to rural hospitals and nursing homes to support healthcare providers during the COVID-19 pandemic, the COVID-19 pandemic said. Governor Greg Abbott’s office on Thursday, December 16.

Funds for the grant programs were authorized under Senate Bill 8 during the Third Special Session of Texas.

The funds will cover critical staffing needs in rural hospitals and nursing homes across the state.

“This funding will provide vital support to rural hospitals, nursing homes and other state health care providers who continue to work tirelessly to fight COVID-19,” Governor Abbott said in a statement. communicated. “We are grateful for the continued efforts of our healthcare professionals who compassionately serve their fellow Texans.”

“Healthcare providers have worked tirelessly to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic and these grant programs will help them fill critical gaps in their workforce while continuing to serve vulnerable Texans,” the CFO said of HHSC, Trey Wood, in a statement.

HHSC is distributing approximately $ 90 million to nursing facilities in Texas with an active license as of November 8, 2021 under the Nursing Facility COVID-19 in Healthcare Relief Grant (NF-CHRG) program.

Each eligible facility will receive $ 75,000. The grant can be used for critical staffing needs, such as bonuses and hiring contract staff.

The agency is also distributing approximately $ 38 million or $ 250,000 to each eligible rural hospital under the Rural Hospital COVID-19 in Healthcare Relief Grant (RH-CHRG) program.

The funds are discretionary and can be used by rural hospitals to support losses of staff, infrastructure or revenue related to the pandemic.