WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senators Bob Menendez and Cory Booker today announced $14,415,135 in federal funding for the New Jersey Department of Health and Senior Services and another $2,457,996 for Shore Memorial Hospital to help bolster emergency protective measures in response to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. The grants were awarded through the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Disaster Relief Fund (DRF), which reimburses states and other entities in full for certain COVID-related expenses.  

“Even though it appears we’ve turned the corner on the pandemic as the rate of vaccinations continue to climb, we cannot let our guard down. This funding will ensure health facilities across New Jersey have the resources they need to bolster their emergency protective measures for patients and staff as they continue to combat this virus and do everything they can to reduce its spread and save lives,” said Sen. Menendez.
"While we have made significant progress in the battle against the coronavirus pandemic, we must ensure New Jersey has the federal funding required to continue to respond to this crisis," said Senator Booker. "This grant money will help ensure that our state and our hospitals have the critical resources necessary to protect the health and well-being of our residents."
 

Funding for the Department of Health and Senior Services will reimburse the state for costs related to providing disinfection, medical, facility services, food, communications, non-congregate sheltering and medical staff services for the emergency response and pandemic recovery operations, including setting up state field hospitals.

Shore Medical will use the funding to reimburse for costs the hospital incurred providing emergency medical care and the purchase, distribution and use of medical supplies and personal protective equipment, such as N95 respirators, medical gloves, surgical masks, medical gowns, coveralls and face shields.       

Last month, Sen. Menendez, who led a years-long effort to reform how FEMA responds to disasters, announced that the agency answered his call to eliminate the cost-sharing requirements for disaster grants. The directive issued by President Biden allows states and local governments to be retroactively reimbursed at 100% for eligible expenses to combat COVID-19 incurred since Jan. 2020, and to apply for full reimbursement for additional eligible expenses going forward.

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