In June of 2020, Husch Blackwell alerted non-profit healthcare organizations and higher education institutions of the availability of FEMA Public Assistance (PA) Program disaster relief funds pursuant to then published FEMA Guidance. We have been assisting clients with navigation of their FEMA fund requests, and due to newly published Guidance, we recommend that such organizations closely evaluate potential claims depending upon when the expenses arise to understand which guidance applies.
Private nonprofit (“PNP”) organizations that own and/or operate medical facilities, such as hospitals and long term care facilities, are eligible for FEMA Public Assistance (PA) Program disaster relief funds. Under the COVID-19 Emergency Declaration, FEMA is authorized to provide assistance for certain emergency protective measures if not funded by other federal agencies. PNP healthcare organizations can apply for funding for emergency protective measures that are incurred as medical care costs.
On March 13, 2020 the COVID-19 pandemic was declared a National Emergency by President Trump. This declaration set in motion the availability of FEMA Public Assistance (PA) disaster relief funds to support nonprofit healthcare and higher education organizations, among others, during the recovery. On March 27, 2020, additional FEMA PA disaster relief funds of approximately $45 billion were appropriated through the CARES Act to address the public health emergency. Further, many of the longstanding FEMA policies and procedures are being loosened to streamline and expedite funding for nonprofit healthcare organizations such as hospitals and hospice, as well as certain higher education institutions.