Gov. Whitmer Secures $13 Million Grant for Rural Hospitals in Michigan

Press Release

Gov. Gretchen Whitmer and the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) secured a $13 million grant from the Health Resources and Services Administration for 51 small, rural hospitals in Michigan to support COVID-19 testing and mitigation.

"Our top priority is supporting the brave professionals on the frontlines of our health care industry in every corner of our state to ensure that they have what they need to protect themselves, their family, and their neighbors," said Governor Whitmer. "This funding will help rural hospitals continue serving their communities by expanding their COVID-19 testing capacity and mitigation efforts. I want to thank the nurses, doctors, and all medical professionals who continue to go above and beyond to keep people safe each and every day."

"The state's rural hospitals have saved countless lives throughout the pandemic," said Elizabeth Hertel, MDHHS director. "We are pleased they will be able to use this funding to further help in the fight against COVID-19 as we all work together to end the pandemic."

Rural hospitals with less than 50 staff will be able to use the funds for testing equipment, personnel, temporary structures or education. Mitigation strategies must be part of the CDC community mitigation framework, including education, contact tracing, communication and outreach. Each hospital will receive about $257,000, which must be used within 18 months of receipt.

The Michigan Center for Rural Health, which serves as the Michigan State Office of Rural Health, will distribute the funding to the hospitals.  

"As the State Office of Rural Health, MCRH is dedicated to improving the health of rural Michigan residents and we are pleased to be able to distribute this funding to Michigan's rural hospitals," said John Barnas, MCRH executive director. "Rural hospitals have long been the cornerstone of rural communities and have been vital and steadfast in their response to COVID-19.  This funding will benefit the communities greatly, allowing the hospitals to continue their diligent work in the battle against COVID-19 by increasing testing capacity and implementing mitigation strategies to reduce the effects of COVID-19."

Hospitals receiving funding include:

Ascension Allegan
MidMichigan Medical Center Gladwin
Ascension Borgess-Lee Hospital
MidMichigan Medical Center Gratiot
Ascension Standish
MidMichigan Medical Center West Branch
Ascension St. Joseph
Munising Memorial Hospital
Aspirus Iron River Hospital & Clinics, Inc
Munson Healthcare Cadillac Hospital
Aspirus Ironwood Hospital
Munson Healthcare Charlevoix Hospital
Aspirus Keweenaw Hospital
Munson Healthcare Grayling
Aspirus Ontonagon Hospital
Munson Healthcare Manistee Hospital
Baraga County Memorial Hospital
OSF St. Francis Hospital & Medical Group
Bronson Lakeview Hospital
Munson Healthcare Otsego Memorial Hospital
Bronson South Haven Hospital
Paul Oliver Memorial Hospital
Deckerville Hospital
Portage Hospital, LLC
Dickinson County Healthcare System
Promedica Coldwater Regional Hospital
Eaton Rapids Medical Center
Promedica Charles and Virginia Hickman Hospital (Bixby)
Harbor Beach Community Hospital
Schoolcraft Memorial Hospital
Helen Newberry Joy Hospital
Sheridan Community Hospital
Hillsdale Hospital
Scheurer Hospital
Hills & Dales General Hospital
Sparrow Carson Hospital
Kalkaska Memorial Health Center
Sparrow Clinton Hospital
Mackinac Straits Health System
Sparrow Eaton Hospital
Marlette Regional Hospital
Sparrow Ionia Hospital
McKenzie Health System
Sturgis Hospital
McLaren Caro Community Hospital
Three Rivers Health
McLaren Central Michigan
UP Health System-Bell
McLaren Thumb Region
War Memorial Hospital
MidMichigan Medical Center Clare

Source