Over $105M secured in FEMA funding for Kentucky hospitals, emergency management

FRANKFORT, Ky. – On Friday, Gov. Andy Beshear announced that more than $105 million in FEMA disaster funds have been secured to reimburse six Kentucky hospitals and Kentucky Emergency Management for expenses incurred during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Officials say hospitals receiving the funding include AdventHealth Manchester, Appalachian Regional Healthcare, Baptist Health, Pikeville Medical Center, T.J. Samson Community Hospital and UofL Health.

“What our hospitals did during the pandemic is nothing short of heroic, and my administration worked hard to make sure the reimbursements they were owed under the president’s emergency declaration were delivered,” Beshear said. “While this funding is being received years later, it couldn’t come at a better time, as our hospitals face challenges due to federal Medicaid cuts. This $105 million will make a difference for these hospitals and the Kentucky families who depend on them, which is why today’s news is so great.”

The reimbursement was for costs incurred and damages received between January 202 and May 11, 2023 under FEMA Disaster 4497 – Kentucky COVID-19 Pandemic Major Disaster.

Funding was used for hospital safety, patient care, materials and supplies, personal protective equipment, medical support, contract labor, emergency protective measures, medications and more.

• AdventHealth Manchester is being reimbursed $1,628,812.06;
• ARH is being reimbursed $22,944,962.88;
• Baptist Health is being reimbursed $17,207,818.93;
• Pikeville Medical Center is being reimbursed $1,447,750.47;
• T.J. Samson Community Hospital is being reimbursed $6,917,666.16;
• UofL Health is being reimbursed $13,397,435.97; and
• KYEM is being reimbursed $41,820,598.35.

“Our first responders and hospitals went to great lengths to protect the lives of Kentuckians during the pandemic, and I am grateful that we were able to secure this funding and provide the reimbursements these hospitals and our team deserve,” said Eric Gibson, director of KYEM. “We are processing the funds as quickly as possible so teams can put those dollars to good use as they continue to care for and protect people across our commonwealth.”

Leaders from each of the hospitals shared the positive impact this reimbursement will have on their current operations.

“On behalf of T.J. Samson Community Hospital, we are deeply grateful to Gov. Beshear and FEMA for recognizing the extraordinary challenges and unprecedented expenses that hospitals faced throughout the pandemic,” said Neil Thornbury, CEO of T.J. Regional Health. “There were tremendous demands on healthcare organizations across Kentucky, and this funding acknowledges both the sacrifices made by healthcare workers and the ongoing need to ensure rural communities have access to strong, dependable healthcare close to home. We are proud of how our team responded during one of the most difficult periods in healthcare history, and this support will help us continue building for the future.”