Government reallocated $12.3 million from the Coronavirus Relief Fund for program
Alabama has reallocated $12.3 million of its Coronavirus Relief Fund to secure qualified, out-of-state, travel nurses to work in Alabama hospitals in a temporary capacity.
“I’m pleased to see more folks getting vaccinated, but we are still in the thick of COVID-19 and our hospitals are overwhelmed,” said Governor Kay Ivey. “In consideration of the current surge of the virus and the strain on our dedicated healthcare professionals, I have directed the $12.3 million of CARES Act funding be reallocated to recruit more trained staff to our nursing corps. Until our vaccination rates rise and our COVID-19 hospitalization rates fall, we will need the extra support these nurses provide.”
The $12.3 million reallocation is from Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act) funds that were previously obligated but not reimbursed among the various approved expenditures.
State Health Officer Dr. Scott Harris previously designated the nursing shortage Alabama’s most urgent need following consultation with the Alabama Department of Public Health (ADPH). ADPH will work with the Alabama Hospital Association to develop a process to recruit these travel nurses.
Previously, Nebraska also made some policy changes to help hospitals in the state address their staffing needs.
CARES Act
Alabama received approximately $1.9 billion of federal CARES Act funding to respond to and mitigate COVID-19. Alabama Act 2020-199 designated:
- $300 million to reimburse state agencies for expenses directly related to the coronavirus outbreak;
- $250 million to reimburse counties and cities for coronavirus expenses;
- $250 million to deliver health care and related services to residents;
- $300 to support citizens, businesses, and non-profit and faith-based organizations impacted by the coronavirus pandemic.
- $53 million for remote work and public access expenses incurred by state government, including the Legislature.
- $300 million for technology and infrastructure expenses related to remote learning;
- $200 million for reimbursement of costs to the Department of Corrections incurred because of the outbreak;
- $10 million to the reimbursement of costs to ensure access to courts during the pandemic;
- $5 million to reimburse the State General Fund for supplemental appropriations to the Alabama Department of Public Health.
California and Connecticut, among other states, have required some workers to get COVID-19 vaccine shots to help put an end to the ongoing pandemic.
