COVID Relief Funds

What is the impact of losing so many?

As of last week, there have been approximately 1,028,000 COVID deaths in the United States. To offer perspective, that is more people than the entire state populations of Wyoming, Vermont, the District of Columbia, Alaska, both Dakotas, or Delaware. 

Could you imagine the impact if our country essentially lost the entire population of one state?

The significance of this overwhelms me as I hop on a plane to travel and see so many people now operating as though it’s business as usual. I too would love to return to normal, and have even had my fair share of laissez-faire approaches to COVID lately. Although last week I was starkly reminded of the seriousness of the situation when my oldest child was sent home from school, sick with COVID.  

Just over a year ago, the Biden Administration released $2.25 billion to the states to help with COVID health disparities. The funds were routed through the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in the form of grants to every state, with additional funding to large city and county health agencies. However, as reported last week by Kaiser Health News, only a small percentage of states have even started using their funds.

The information was startling, as the Biden Administration is now asking for additional funding for COVID relief, even as dollars seem to already be sitting dormant at the state level, not in use. Montana so far has spent some of their funds, although they have used slightly less than a quarter of their total eligible dollars. Missouri has not spent any of its $35.6 million. State officials reported that the slow release of funds to health departments, healthcare organizations, and community agencies has been due to administrative hurdles in the process to obtain and designate dollars to the appropriate entities in need. 

So, while state offices and health departments are trying to figure out how to spend their money, the reported cases (which we know are underreported, since home kits have no public reporting mechanism) are up 26 percent nationwide in the last couple of weeks. And about a third of all Americans are now living in an area with medium or high risk rates of COVID. Thank you Omicron and your subvariants! I would urge state agencies, as we continue in the rising tide of COVID and as we head towards the fall cold and flu season, please release the funds – we do not want another variant.  

I ask, are you seeing increases in COVID cases in your area? To look at the survey results of this week, please click here.

References:

https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/health/2022/05/18/omicron-waning-immunity-rising-covid-cases/9823740002/

https://khn.org/news/article/covid-health-disparities-federal-funding-state-spending/

Facebook
Twitter
LinkedIn

Tiffany Ferguson, LMSW, CMAC, ACM

Tiffany Ferguson is CEO of Phoenix Medical Management, Inc., the care management company. Tiffany serves on the ACPA Observation Subcommittee. Tiffany is a contributor to RACmonitor, Case Management Monthly, and commentator for Finally Friday. After practicing as a hospital social worker, she went on to serve as Director of Case Management and quickly assumed responsibilities in system level leadership roles for Health and Care Management and c-level responsibility for a large employed medical group. Tiffany received her MSW at UCLA. She is a licensed social worker, ACM, and CMAC certified.

Related Stories

Leave a Reply

Please log in to your account to comment on this article.

Featured Webcasts

The Cost of Ignoring Risk Adjustment: How HCCs Impact Revenue & Compliance

The Cost of Ignoring Risk Adjustment: How HCCs Impact Revenue & Compliance

Stop revenue leakage and boost hospital performance by mastering risk adjustment and HCCs. This essential webcast with expert Cheryl Ericson, RN, MS, CCDS, CDIP, will reveal how inaccurate patient acuity documentation leads to lost reimbursements through penalties from poor quality scores. Learn the critical differences between HCCs and traditional CCs/MCCs, adapt your CDI workflows, and ensure accurate payments in Medicare Advantage and value-based care models. Perfect for HIM leaders, coders, and CDI professionals.  Don’t miss this chance to protect your hospital’s revenue and reputation!

May 29, 2025
I050825

Mastering ICD-10-CM Coding for Diabetes and it’s Complications: Avoiding Denials & Ensuring Compliance

Struggling with ICD-10-CM coding for diabetes and complications? This expert-led webcast clarifies complex combination codes, documentation gaps, and sequencing rules to reduce denials and ensure compliance. Dr. Angela Comfort will provide actionable strategies to accurately link diabetes to complications, improve provider documentation, and optimize reimbursement—helping coders, CDI specialists, and HIM leaders minimize audit risks and strengthen revenue integrity. Don’t miss this chance to master diabetes coding with real-world case studies, key takeaways, and live Q&A!

May 8, 2025
2025 Coding Clinic Webcast Series

2025 ICD-10-CM/PCS Coding Clinic Update Webcast Series

Uncover critical guidance. HIM coding expert, Kay Piper, RHIA, CDIP, CCS, provides an interactive review on important information in each of the AHA’s 2025 ICD-10-CM/PCS Quarterly Coding Clinics in easy-to-access on-demand webcasts, available shortly after each official publication.

April 14, 2025

Trending News

Featured Webcasts

The Two-Midnight Rule: New Challenges, Proven Strategies

The Two-Midnight Rule: New Challenges, Proven Strategies

RACmonitor is proud to welcome back Dr. Ronald Hirsch, one of his most requested webcasts. In this highly anticipated session, Dr. Hirsch will break down the complex Two Midnight Rule Medicare regulations, translating them into clear, actionable guidance. He’ll walk you through the basics of the rule, offer expert interpretation, and apply the rule to real-world clinical scenarios—so you leave with greater clarity, confidence, and the tools to ensure compliance.

June 19, 2025
Open Door Forum Webcast Series

Open Door Forum Webcast Series

Bring your questions and join the conversation during this open forum series, live every Wednesday at 10 a.m. EST from June 11–July 30. Hosted by Chuck Buck, these fast-paced 30-minute sessions connect you directly with top healthcare experts tackling today’s most urgent compliance and policy issues.

June 11, 2025
Open Door Forum: The Changing Face of Addiction: Coding, Compliance & Care

Open Door Forum: The Changing Face of Addiction: Coding, Compliance & Care

Substance abuse is everywhere. It’s a complicated diagnosis with wide-ranging implications well beyond acute care. The face of addiction continues to change so it’s important to remember not just the addict but the spectrum of extended victims and the other social determinants and legal ramifications. Join John K. Hall, MD, JD, MBA, FCLM, FRCPC, for a critical Q&A on navigating substance abuse in 2025.  Register today and be a part of the conversation!

July 16, 2025

Trending News

Happy National Doctor’s Day! Learn how to get a complimentary webcast on ‘Decoding Social Admissions’ as a token of our heartfelt appreciation! Click here to learn more →

CYBER WEEK IS HERE! Don’t miss your chance to get 20% off now until Dec. 2 with code CYBER24