The Federal Emergency Management Agency will send almost $6.8 million to the state of Connecticut to reimburse Yale New Haven Hospital for additional costs associated with operating safely during the COVID-19 pandemic.
YNHH is poised to receive $6,786,208 through FEMA’s Public Assistance grant program for additional operating costs incurred between January 2020 and November 2021.
During the pandemic, the hospital had to purchase additional medical equipment and ventilators for the treatment of COVID-19 patients. It also had to hire additional staff, buy personal protective equipment, and spend money for disinfection services and supplies. It also had to convert facility space into COVID-19 treatment areas.
“FEMA is pleased to be able to assist Yale New Haven Hospital with these costs,” said FEMA Region 1 Regional Administrator Lori Ehrlich. “Providing resources for our partners on the front lines of the pandemic fight is critical to their success.”
The FEMA grant program is a source of funding for states and communities recovering from a federally-declared disaster or emergency.
To date, FEMA has provided more than $452 million in these grants to Connecticut to reimburse the state for pandemic-related expenses.
Yale New Haven Health’s Director of Public Relations and Communications Dana Marnane said the hospital is “appreciative” that FEMA approved its claim.
The hospital anticipates receiving the funds in four to five weeks, according to Marnane.
“The FEMA grant is reimbursement for expenses previously spent that are directly attributable to COVID-19,” she said.
