Laredo, TX – Congressman Henry Cuellar (TX-28) joined a bipartisan letter to Secretary Alex Azar and Deputy Secretary Eric D. Hargan of the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), urging them to equitably distribute funding to small rural hospitals, critical access hospitals and other rural providers who are in desperate need of help during the COVID-19 pandemic.

“Rural hospitals are struggling to keep their doors open and properly combat the coronavirus pandemic, just as our communities most need them,” said Congressman Cuellar. “This bipartisan letter calls for the Department of Health and Human Services to adequately fund and protect hospitals that provide critical care to rural communities. As a senior Appropriator, I am committed to funding our rural health care system so they can continue to fight this public health crisis. I want to thank Representatives Cox, Latta, and Bergman, as well as Senators Manchin and Hyde-Smith for their leadership on this letter.”

This letter asks that funding be allocated based on the following:

• A 20 percent Rural Benchmark in the $100 billion provider fund.
• Priority should be granted to facilities that have been significantly affected by COVID-19 preparation.
• Priority should be granted for facilities that provide care for a disproportionally high percentage of Medicare and Medicaid patients.
• Priority should be granted for facilities that provide care for populations with above average senior populations or co-morbidities that are particularly vulnerable to complications form COVID-19

The CARES Act increased funding for the Public Health and Social Services Emergency Fund by $100 billion, which will reimburse eligible health care providers for health care-related expenses or lost revenues due to COVID-19. 

A PDF file of the letter can be found here.