Durbin, Duckworth, Colleagues Urge Hhs To Change Formula For Cares Act Health Provider Funding

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Dick Durbin (D-IL) and Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), along with seven of their Senate colleagues, today expressed concern to the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) about the front-line health providers and settings that were excluded from, or inadequately supported through, the $30 billion first round of CARES Act funding. In a letter to HHS Secretary Alex Azar, the Senators urged the Department to alter the methodology for the next round of the CARES Act’s total $100 billion funding to better reflect the unique contributions of children’s hospitals, hospitals that serve a disproportionate share of Medicaid and uninsured patients, and rural hospitals, as well as hospitals that serve communities with higher volumes of COVID-19 cases.

“As HHS prepares to allocate the next round of funding appropriated by Congress through the CARES Act, we urge you to prioritize children’s hospitals, hospitals with high rates of Medicaid and uninsured patients, and rural hospitals, all of which are on the front lines of this unprecedented health emergency and were insufficiently supported through the first tranche of grants,” the Senators wrote.

King Comfort Club Memberships

Shop Local

King Air Conditioning & Heating

Get This Deal →

The Senators expressed concern that the first round of CARES Act funding, which was allocated based upon a health care institution’s Medicare Part A and B claims from 2019, did not properly recognize hospitals facing an outsized burden of COVID-19 cases, including those in geographic hot spots.

In addition to Durbin and Duckworth, the letter was signed by Senators Ed Markey (D-MA), Tina Smith (D-MN), Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), Kamala Harris (D-CA), Jeff Merkley (D-OR), Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), and Elizabeth Warren (D-MA).

More like this:

Duckworth, Gillibrand, Senate Democrats Urge the Trump Administration to Help Ensure Websites and Apps Are Accessible for Americans with Disabilities

Jun 18, 2026

Duckworth, Durbin Urge RFK Jr. to Reinstate 50+ Canceled Teen Pregnancy Prevention Grants

Jul 6, 2026

Duckworth Joins Hickenlooper, Colleagues In Urging White House To Rescind Political Rule That Hurts American Science, Research

Jul 9, 2026

Duckworth, Durbin Join Senate Democrats in Demanding OMB Rescind Rule Giving President Sweeping Power to Politicize Federal Grants

Jul 6, 2026

Attorney General Raoul Highlights Work To Challenge Unlawful Federal Actions That Target LGBTQ+ Individuals

Jun 29, 2026