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Today, Congressman Bob Latta (R-OH5) urged Secretary Azar, Secretary of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, to ensure funding will be distributed to Ohio health care providers and hospitals so they can operate with greater financial certainty and continue to deliver care for those in need while being prepared for any potential rise in COVID-19 cases.

Since the onset of the coronavirus pandemic, hospitals in Northwest and West Central Ohio have experienced significant financial loss.

“Congress passed the CARES Act in which $175 billion was appropriated to reimburse health care providers for lost revenues and resources to respond to the COVID-19 crisis,” wrote Latta. “In preparing for a surge in COVID-19 cases, hospitals were directed to delay elective surgeries to lower infection rate and to also be adequately prepared with personal protective equipment (PPE).”

“However, although with good intention, this has had negative consequences on hospitals in my district,” continued Latta. “During this shutdown, revenues for some hospitals declined by up to 50% while operating costs continued to stay level as staff stayed on the payroll in anticipation of a wave of COVID-19 patients.”

“Distribution of CARES funding is more important now than ever. I am concerned that because hospitals have endured a large revenue shortfall, this will negatively impact local communities’ economies, workforce, and health care access,” concluded Latta. “I, therefore, am requesting that you provide a layout of how funding will be distributed to hospitals so they can operate with greater financial certainty and continue to deliver care for those in need while being adequately prepared for any potential rise in COVID-19 cases.”

Read the complete letter online here.

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