FEMA extends funding for eligible COVID-19 costs, issues advisory on medical staffing requests

President Biden yesterday extended through Dec. 31, 2021, 100% federal reimbursement through the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s Public Assistance Program for eligible costs to safely reopen and operate certain private nonprofits in response to the COVID-19 emergency, including private nonprofit medical facilities. The policy previously was set to expire Sept. 30. FEMA said it will release “an updated policy in the coming days supporting the President’s direction.”

In an advisory yesterday on medical staffing requests, FEMA said all public and private organizations should continue to work through their established processes for emergencies and disasters to request additional medical staff as COVID-19 cases rise. When ready to submit a request, FEMA said state, tribal and territorial governments will work through their assigned FEMA and Department of Health and Human Services regional point of contact. For a request to be filled, the agency said requesters must first consider and address certain actions, including ceasing all elective procedures, expanding the use of telemedicine and activating the Medical Reserve Corps.