Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Wolf announced up to $50 million in funding to help hospitals, nursing homes and first responders buy needed equipment and supplies to deal with an expected crush of COVID-19 patients in the commonwealth's hospitals.
The money was recently transferred to a restricted fund under the control of the governor and can be used if more funds beyond the previous disaster distribution are required.
"We need more beds, more ventilators, more personal protective equipment, and so much more and we need it as soon as possible because the virus is here," Wolf said in a statement. "I am working to get this funding moving as quickly as I can."
State health officials as well as hospitals, health care systems and front-line medical workers are concerned about the level of supplies and equipment to deal with the rising level of COVID-19 patients in Pennsylvania, who have critical needs when they are hospitalized that are not limitless among hospitals and health care systems.
It's part of House Bill 1232, which the governor will sign Friday.