The Arkansas Department of Human Services was granted $60 million in federal American Rescue Plan funds to help state hospitals avoid closure, the Arkansas Democrat Gazette reported Sept. 1.
The state's steering committee for American Rescue Plan funding unanimously approved the grant and also supported the department's request for an additional $10 million for rural hospital support and $5 million for behavioral health training and certification of Arkansas healthcare employees.
The department is awaiting spending authority approval from the Arkansas Legislative Council.
In its written request, the department said Arkansas hospitals are suffering financial strain due to the pandemic, higher operational costs and staff shortages.