Nearly $84 million in COVID-19 pandemic relief is coming for 520 skilled nursing facilities in Missouri, U.S. Sen. Roy Blunt, R-Mo., announced Thursday.
Blunt - who chairs the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies - said in a news release the money is being provided by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
"The funding announced today will help these facilities expand testing capabilities, increase staffing and purchase personal protective equipment," Blunt said.
The funding was included in the federal Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act and the Paycheck Protection Program and Health Care Enhancement Act.
Dr. Deborah Birx, White House coronavirus response coordinator, told reporters at the Missouri state Capitol last week the federal government would be sending more assistance to nursing homes - particularly to help nursing homes be able to test all staff at every facility for COVID-19 weekly.
It was not immediately clear Thursday if the funding Blunt's office announced is the aid Birx promised.