(KNSI) – Minnesota is tapping $40 million in federal funding from the American Rescue Plan to help pay hospital staff working in the hardest-hit areas.
According to a press release from the governor’s office, the $40 million would cover the costs for nurses and other staff who work 60 hours per week for 60 days at Minnesota hospitals dealing with staffing shortages due to COVID-19.
The money is being used as Minnesota deals with the current surge of COVID-19 cases brought on by the Omicron variant.
“This funding will support our health care heroes and help Minnesotans get the care they need. Minnesotans also have an important role to play in supporting our hospitals. The best thing they can do to protect themselves and their families and support our frontline workers is to get vaccinated, get boosted, get tested, wear a mask indoors, and to stay home when they are sick,” said Governor Walz.
The Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) is also taking emergency action to help hospitals and long-term care facilities by allowing them to expand their capacity to treat additional patients. To help the facilities expand, Minnesota is waiving licensing fees and restrictions associated with adding new beds in hospitals or nursing homes in response to a COVID surge.
As of Tuesday, Minnesota hospitals were treating more than 1,500 COVID-19 patients, including nearly 260 in the ICU. This number is expected to rise in the coming days. At the same time, many hospitals are dealing with staffing absences due to COVID-19, further squeezing staff capacity.
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