Governor Mike Parson announced a $30 million funding to support Missouri’s health care professionals and system on Wednesday, August 11.
Governor Parson has directed the Missouri Department of Health & Senior Services to create and execute the contractual framework that will help mitigate current COVID-19 hospital strain. The effort will be funded through the federal Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act.
Governor Parson says $15 million will go towards antibody infusion centers.
He then addressed hospital staffing-shortages.
According to a press release, more information on the contract and vendor will be made available once the contract is fully executed. At this time, the efforts will include, but are not limited to, the following:
Healthcare Staffing – Hospitals: Missouri will commit $15 million to provide health care staffing for all Missouri-licensed or CMS-certified critical access, acute care and long-term care hospitals. Funding will be provided on a firm, fixed staffing rate and will not exceed the cap designated to each tier.
- Tier 1: 0-25 licensed or CMS-certified beds – $50,000 cap
- Tier 2: 26-75 licensed or CMS-certified beds – $75,000 cap
- Tier 3: 76-200 licensed or CMS-certified beds – $100,000 cap
- Tier 4: 201-400 licensed or CMS-certified beds – $150,000 cap
- Tier 5: 401+ licensed or CMS-certified beds – $200,000 cap
Health Care Staffing – State Managed Facilities: Governor Parson has authorized the Missouri Department of Mental Health, Missouri Veteran’s Commission, Missouri Department of Corrections and the Missouri Department of Social Services’ Division of Youth Services to join in on the contract, securing the agencies and commission the same fixed staffing rate to fill healthcare staffing needs.
Monoclonal Antibody Infusion Stations: Missouri will commit another $15 million to establish five to eight strategically-located, state-funded MAB sites that will operate for 30 days each. Monoclonal antibodies are proteins that can help your body fight off COVID-19 and reduce the risk of severe disease and hospitalization – if administered to high-risk patients soon after diagnosis. Site selection will be made in conjunction with regional and local partners. The state estimates the sites will be able to treat up to 2,000 patients across the state.
Officials say DHSS is working through an emergency contract process with a vendor that will support these efforts.