Nearly all of the $60 million in federal COVID-19 relief funds Arkansas earmarked has been committed after four more hospitals were approved for funding.
The Arkansas Department of Human Services requests for $13.4 million in federal American Rescue Plan funds for four hospitals in Blytheville, Mena, Osceola and Warren, and requests for $11.6 million in state restricted reserve funds for three projects sailed through the Arkansas Legislative Council on Friday.
A legislative panel on Tuesday signed off on a request by Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders’ office for a $104,000 appropriation transfer to increase the extra help appropriation to cover the cost of former Department of Corrections’ Secretary Joe Profiri serving as a special adviser in the governor’s office in the fiscal year that ends June 30.
A legislative panel on Tuesday signed off on a request by Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders’ office for a $104,000 appropriation transfer to increase the extra help appropriation to cover the cost of former Department of Corrections’ Secretary Joe Profiri serving as a special adviser in the governor’s office in the fiscal year that ends June 30.
Arkansas lawmakers have directed federal COVID-19 relief funds to 17 of the 18 rural hospitals deemed eligible for the aid, pending final approval of nearly $13.5 million for four facilities.