The funds are designed to help support hospitals to care for "their most vulnerable patients," according to the release. Disproportionate Share Hospitals — those which serve a disproportionate amount of low-income and uninsured patients — are eligible to received the additional money.
Every year, states receive an annual allotment that is used to pay hospitals for the cost of treating uninsured and low-income patients. The Recovery Act increases the states’ allotments from $11.06 billion to $11.33 billion.
CMS will notify states regarding the availability of the increased portion of allotments for hospitals.
Read about the additional HHS Recovery Act funds.
