Gov. Janet Mills and Health and Human Services Commissioner Jeanne Lambrew announced a grant program to support health care organizations that serve residents with MaineCare and sustain vital health services during the COVID-19 pandemic. Backed by $30 million in Federal CARES Act Coronavirus Relief Funds (CRF), the Maine Health Care Financial Relief Program is a new opportunity modeled on the Maine Department of Economic and Community Development's (DECD) Maine Economic Recovery Grant program.
Health care organizations that were ineligible for funding under the Maine Economic Recovery Grant program may apply for the new grants. These include hospitals and nursing facilities of any size, as well as congregate care, behavioral health, community service providers, and other providers with more than 250 employees. Health care organizations must have served MaineCare members in 2020 to qualify. The new grants will provide up to $100,000 in financial relief for health care organizations that have incurred business disruptions due to the COVID-19 pandemic. DECD will administer the grant program in coordination with the Maine Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS).
Application Details
The application portal for the program will open Tuesday, December 1, 2020 at noon on the DECD's website. The deadline to apply is December 10, 2020. Awards are expected to be distributed prior to the end of the month. The award amount will be based on demonstrated need, accounting for other sources of funding providers have accessed to offset revenue losses related to the pandemic.
The Maine Health Care Financial Relief grants may be used to cover expenses including:
- payroll costs and expenses;
- rent or mortgage payments for business facilities;
- utilities payments; necessary operating expenses;
- expenses incurred to replenish inventory or other necessary re-opening expenses;
- purchase of personal protective equipment required by the business or business-related equipment.
Funds must be spent on operations strictly within Maine. Recipients are liable for any misuse of funds, and the grants are subject to audit.