ICYMI: Mitch McConnell Secures Billions for Kentucky Coronavirus Response Efforts

Kentuckians are still fighting against the coronavirus, and Mitch McConnell is working tirelessly to ensure the Bluegrass has needed economic and health resources. Because of Senator McConnell’s leadership, Kentucky will receive billions of dollars to help families, workers, businesses affected by the coronavirus. Kentuckians are already seeing the benefits of this critical aid and much more is on its way. 
 
Through the McConnell-led CARES Act, Kentucky small businesses have access to nearly $350 billion of loans to continue paying their workers and business expenses. This aid is critical in the Bluegrass because roughly 99% of our businesses are small businesses and employ nearly 700,000 people. Additionally, families and workers will receive direct payments and expanded unemployment benefits during this time.

Here’s how coronavirus relief funds are helping Kentuckians:

$7.4M of Phase One Coronavirus Relief Aid to Kentucky

WDRB: “McConnell said most of the money is targeted ‘for a serious national fight’ against the new coronavirus and will go to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, including billions of dollars in funding for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and its Infectious Diseases Rapid Response Fund […] The legislation also provides resources to the Food and Drug Administration, National Institutes of Health, community health centers and the Small Business Administration…” (WDRB, 3/6/2020)

Kentucky Today: “The funding […] will be provided to state officials who will determine how the resources will be distributed.” (Kentucky Today, 3/6/2020)

$23.3M for Community Health Centers

WYMT: “Kentucky will receive $1.6 million from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), through the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), for Community Health Centers (CHCs) to combat the coronavirus in the Commonwealth […] the competitive funding will support 25 health centers across Kentucky.” (WYMT, 3/24/2020)

Kentucky Today: “The HHS funding will be used by HRSA-funded CHCs in Kentucky for testing and to purchase additional medical supplies. It will also be used to help increase telehealth services across the Commonwealth.” (Kentucky Today, 3/24/2020)

WSAZ: “Sen. Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) announced Wednesday that 25 Kentucky community health centers will receive a combined $21.7 million from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.” (WSAZ, 4/8/2020)

WKDZ: “Pennyroyal Healthcare Service, Inc. in Hopkinsville will get a little more than $567,000 to help with local efforts […] As a result of the [CARES Act], the Commonwealth will see at least $1.25-billion in relief.” (WKDZ, 4/8/2020)

WDRB: “Nearly $3 million is coming to community health centers in Louisville, including the Family Health Centers, which operates eight clinics in the metro area.” (WDRB, 4/9/2020)

River City News: “HealthPoint will receive $1,325,495 as part of funding for Community Health Centers in the state, Senator Mitch McConnell announced” (RCNKY, 4/8/2020)

$39.3M in Federal Housing Grants

WZTV: “Kentucky communities receive $39.3 million in federal housing funds from CARES Act” (WZTV, 3/31/2020)

WTVQ: “U.S. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-KY, announced Tuesday the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) awarded more than $39.3 million to Kentucky communities for their response to the coronavirus.” (WTVQ, 3/31/2020)

WKDZ: “All of the programs will provide targeted assistance to encourage economic development, address the needs of homeless Kentuckians in emergency transition shelters, and support local services for other residents in need.” (WKDZ, 3/31/2020)

$133.3M to Support Critical Transportation Systems

WBKO: “Kentucky awarded more than $133 million for transit providers affected by coronavirus crisis” (WBKO, 4/2/2020)

KFVS: “The Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act gave Kentucky more than $133.3 million to assist transit providers across the Commonwealth impacted by coronavirus.” (KFVS, 4/2/2020)

$156M to Help Kentucky Students and Universities

Lex18: “Senator Mitch McConnell announced more than $150 million in federal funding to help Kentucky’s college students get through the outbreak […] The emergency aid will be sent to state colleges and help students cover expenses like course materials, housing, food, health care, and childcare.” (WLEX, 4/10/2020)

WBKO: “Kentucky colleges and universities will receive more than $156 million in emergency cash relief from the U.S. Department of Education to support students and institutions during the coronavirus outbreak.” (WBKO, 4/10/2020)

Hoptown Chronicle: “The emergency cash relief includes $6.3 million for Murray State University and $1.3 million for Hopkinsville Community College.” (Hoptown Chronicle, 4/10/2020)

$452M for Health Care Heroes

WLWT: “Kentucky health care providers to receive $452 million from federal government to combat COVID-19” (WLWT, 4/10/2020)

WBKO: “This first allotment of funding will be distributed among more than 3,900 Kentucky medical providers and systems” (WBKO, 4/10, 2020) 

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