Trump Administration Pledges Relief to Children's Hospitals in COVID-19 Fight

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Yesterday, the Trump Administration announced financial support to children’s hospitals will come in the second tranche of public health emergency funding legislated in the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act. On behalf of pediatric patients, their families and the hospitals and physicians who provide the care they need, we appreciate the recognition of children’s hospitals’ unique contributions during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Children’s hospitals joined the nation in supporting the coronavirus public health crisis when the surgeon general and many state governors requested all hospitals cancel elective or deferrable care to accommodate the COVID-19 surge. Deferring volumes is resulting in significant revenue losses for children’s hospitals. At the same time, operating costs are increasing due to the necessary screening and testing of children, families and staff to protect the most fragile children who remain hospitalized or are unable to forego care.  
 
Children’s hospitals cannot sustain financial sacrifices of this magnitude without relief funding. Collectively, our coronavirus-related losses are expected to be $10 billion or more. Direct funding to children’s hospitals during this crisis is vital to our ability to continue caring for children battling injury and illness.
 
We are committed to working with the administration and Congress to ensure the designated funding supports the care we provide children in all our communities.