Letter to Eric D. Hargan, Deputy Secretary, Department of Health and Human Services - Wittman Requests More Funding for Nursing Homes

Letter

Dear Deputy Secretary Hargan,

I appreciate the steps that you and the Administration have taken in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. As a former public health official, I am especially grateful for the dedication of countless the professionals across America who are working tirelessly to safeguard the nation's public health.

As you well know, skilled nursing centers in Virginia, and around the country, have seen an alarming number of deaths and the rapid spread of COVID-19. The residents of skilled nursing facilities are at greatest risk for serious outcomes with this disease. As nursing homes struggle to protect residents and staff, they need more help and additional resources to fight the virus.

To address this deadly and fast spreading outbreak, please provide targeted relief to our nation's nursing homes to meet and address this threat. I ask that you prioritize funding for skilled nursing facilities by allocating $10 billion to nursing homes that have a significant presence of the virus in their facilities as well as COVID-19 hot spots. Getting additional resources to the front lines will save lives.

Thank you for your prompt attention to this matter and for your work on behalf of our most vulnerable populations.

Sincerely,

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