NH Delegation Meets with New Hampshire Hospital Association, Discusses Ongoing COVID-19 Response
Washington, D.C. – Today, Representative Annie Kuster (NH-02), Senator Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), Senator Maggie Hassan (D-NH) and Representative Chris Pappas (NH-01) met virtually with the New Hampshire Hospital Association (NHHA) and hospital CEOs. The delegation heard updates from the Association’s leadership and its members about the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, fall surge and current outbreaks, discussed continued efforts to slow the spread of the coronavirus, and plans to equitably distribute an effective vaccine.
“Since the beginning of the COVID-19 crisis, our New Hampshire health care professionals, like those at the New Hampshire Hospital Association, have been strong partners in combating the virus,” said Rep. Kuster. “It’s crucial that as we head into the winter months and holiday season, we prioritize continuing federal support, including access to personal protective equipment (PPE) supplies and appropriate Medicare and Medicaid reimbursement while continuing to address workforce needs. With renewed hope for an effective vaccine to be available in the near future and plans for an equitable distribution in New Hampshire and across the country being implemented, I am grateful that we have such strong public health experts and advocates like those in the NHHA at the state level, and I look forward to our continued work as we push through this public health crisis.”
“COVID-19 cases are surging, hospitalizations are increasing and our hospitals on the frontlines need help now to keep their doors open as our state fights through this crisis,” said Senator Shaheen. “As members of the New Hampshire Hospital Association made clear on our call, the challenges they’re facing are immense – especially amid a staffing shortage – and they need financial relief to respond to this public health emergency today and in the coming weeks and months. Our communities are relying on Congress to get this done and it’s past time for Mitch McConnell to let us deliver on that promise.”
"With the spike in cases here in New Hampshire and all around the country, the reality is hitting more and more people that we are not done with this pandemic and it is not done with us," said Senator Hassan. "I am tremendously grateful for the health care workers who day-in and day-out are doing everything that they can to save lives. I appreciated hearing from hospital leaders from our state today and I will continue to work with our Congressional Delegation to do everything we can to support all aspects of our health care system, as well as our economy, individuals and small businesses, and our schools to get through this pandemic."
“New Hampshire’s hospitals have done incredible work treating those with COVID-19 and providing critical support and guidance to our communities as we deal with this pandemic,” said Congressman Pappas. “I greatly appreciated being able to meet with the New Hampshire Hospital Association today to get an update from them at this critical time. We were also able to learn how we can continue to provide the needed resources and assistance from Washington which will be essential to weathering this storm. New Hampshire is incredibly fortunate to have such dedication medical and public health professionals, and I remain committed to working to ensure they can continue keeping Granite Staters healthy and safe. This includes providing adequate levels of personal protective equipment, strengthening compressive test and tracing programs, and ensuring that a vaccine – when safe and approved – gets to all those who need it.”
The New Hampshire Congressional Delegation has strongly advocated for federal and state partnerships since the first COVID-19 case was announced in March. Throughout this crisis, they have focused on ensuring that Granite Staters have access to the critical health services they need. They also worked to ensure Congress and the Administration made changes to requirements and payments during the COVID-19 pandemic to allow rural health centers and community health centers greater flexibilities in using telehealth to reach their patients.
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