The NCGA House Select Committee on COVID-19 Health Care Working Group met on August 20, 2020.
Coronavirus Relief Fund Availability
The Fiscal Research Division provided an overview to the Committee about the previous appropriations provided by the NCGA. View the complete break down of appropriations here.
DHHS Division of Child Development and Early Education COVID-19 Funding Priorities
Susan Gale Perry from NC DHHS explained that about 11% (16,374) of NC COVID-19 cases are among children ages 0-17. Overall food insecurity among all ages of North Carolinians increased from 11.7% in February 2020 to 34% by May 2020.
There has been a 35% decline in Child Protective Services reports. Perry attibuted this decline to the mandatory reports, especially from educational professionals having less contact with students.
Perry states that DHHS anticipated expending all CARES funding for childcare before the December deadline. The Department’s top priorities include PPE, workforce retention, and operational grants.
DHHS COVID-19 Funding Priorities
NCDHHS Secretary, Dr. Mandy Cohen, MD, MPH, provided a high level view of the coronavirus relief funding to date.
- The federal CARES Act provided $150 billion to state and local governments.
- To date, NC DHHS has revieved $345,340,000 in Coronavirus Relief Funds appropriated through the NC General Assembly.
- All of this funding must be spent by December 30, 2020.
- Priorities for additional funding:
- Access to Health: Medicaid expansion
- Prevention: infection control, hygiene technical assistance, public awareness campaigns
- Aging Adults: long term care workforce retention
- Rural/Underserved: wrap arround supports, community health workers
- Early Childhood: PPE, childcare workforce retention, adults mental health services
- Opioid Epidemic: treatment and support recovery
Health Care Working Group Funding Requests
There were 39 funding requests made to the COVID-19 Health Care Working Group.
#19 – The North Carolina Medical Society requested $50 million to distribute to financially distressed practices to prevent futher closers of independent practices.
NCMS is creating an action alert for members to advocate for this funding.
The Appropriations Chairs will meet next week to discuss these allocations.