MICHIGAN – 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,” Whitmer said.
“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.
Hospitals receiving funding include:
- MidMichigan Medical Center Gladwin
- MidMichigan Medical Center West Branch
- Munising Memorial Hospital
- Ascension Standish
- Ascension St. Joseph
- Munson Healthcare Cadillac Hospital
- Munson Healthcare Charlevoix Hospital
- Munson Healthcare Grayling
- Munson Healthcare Otsego Memorial Hospital
- Mackinac Straits Health System
- MidMichigan Medical Center Clare
