Gov. Whitmer Secures $13 Million Grant for Rural Hospitals in Michigan

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE  

August 26, 2021  

Contact: Press@Michigan.gov  

 Gov. Whitmer Secures $13 Million Grant for Rural Hospitals in Michigan

LANSING, Mich. – 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,” said Governor Whitmer. “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. 

 The Michigan Center for Rural Health, which serves as the Michigan State Office of Rural Health, will distribute the funding to the hospitals.   

 “As the State Office of Rural Health, MCRH is dedicated to improving the health of rural Michigan residents and we are pleased to be able to distribute this funding to Michigan’s rural hospitals,” said John Barnas, MCRH executive director. “Rural hospitals have long been the cornerstone of rural communities and have been vital and steadfast in their response to COVID-19.  This funding will benefit the communities greatly, allowing the hospitals to continue their diligent work in the battle against COVID-19 by increasing testing capacity and implementing mitigation strategies to reduce the effects of COVID-19.”  

Hospitals receiving funding include:  

 

Ascension Allegan   MidMichigan Medical Center Gladwin 
Ascension Borgess-Lee Hospital  MidMichigan Medical Center Gratiot 
Ascension Standish  MidMichigan Medical Center West Branch 
Ascension St. Joseph  Munising Memorial Hospital 
Aspirus Iron River Hospital & Clinics, Inc  Munson Healthcare Cadillac Hospital 
Aspirus Ironwood Hospital   Munson Healthcare Charlevoix Hospital  
Aspirus Keweenaw Hospital   Munson Healthcare Grayling 
Aspirus Ontonagon Hospital   Munson Healthcare Manistee Hospital 
Baraga County Memorial Hospital   OSF St. Francis Hospital & Medical Group 
Bronson Lakeview Hospital   Munson Healthcare Otsego Memorial Hospital 
Bronson South Haven Hospital  Paul Oliver Memorial Hospital  
Deckerville Hospital  Portage Hospital, LLC 
Dickinson County Healthcare System  Promedica Coldwater Regional Hospital 
Eaton Rapids Medical Center  Promedica Charles and Virginia Hickman Hospital (Bixby) 
Harbor Beach Community Hospital  Schoolcraft Memorial Hospital  
Helen Newberry Joy Hospital  Sheridan Community Hospital  
Hillsdale Hospital  Scheurer Hospital  
Hills & Dales General Hospital   Sparrow Carson Hospital  
Kalkaska Memorial Health Center  Sparrow Clinton Hospital  
Mackinac Straits Health System   Sparrow Eaton Hospital 
Marlette Regional Hospital  Sparrow Ionia Hospital 
McKenzie Health System  Sturgis Hospital 
McLaren Caro Community Hospital   Three Rivers Health 
McLaren Central Michigan  UP Health System-Bell 
McLaren Thumb Region  War Memorial Hospital 
MidMichigan Medical Center Clare   

 

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