Senator Joe Pittman’s bill to direct $507 million of the state’s federal CARES funding to first responders passed the Senate yesterday, with key amendments to now include nursing homes and other services that help people with special needs.
In remarks in the Senate before the bill’s passage, Pittman said he was glad that his bill will now benefit so many people.
Pittman said the original intent was to help financially struggling fire companies and EMS stations, which lost the ability to conduct fundraisers when the pandemic hit.
The senator put the plight of nursing homes into context, saying their residents and employees account for nearly a quarter of all cases of coronavirus infection in the state.
Pittman said the nursing home situation is nothing short of tragic.
The bill includes additional funding for personal assistance services, Community HealthChoices managed care organizations, assisted living centers and personal care homes, adult day care, providers of Living Independence for the Elderly, and residential habitation needs.
Senate Bill 1122 now goes to the House of Representatives for consideration.
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