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WASHINGTON, D.C. — Last week, U.S. Senator John Fetterman (D-PA), Ranking Member of the Subcommittee on Border Management, Federal Workforce, and Regulatory Affairs, sent a letter to the top official at the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) calling out delays in reimbursements to healthcare providers dating back to the COVID-19 pandemic.

“As you may know, there is more than $600 million in unobligated FEMA Public Assistance funding owed to healthcare providers in Pennsylvania alone,” wrote Senator Fetterman.

Health care providers across Pennsylvania and the nation incurred substantial out-of-pocket costs during the COVID-19 pandemic, operating under the assumption that the federal government would provide them with timely reimbursements. The continued delay of the payments owed threatens operations and staffing levels in a profession already suffering from provider burnout and low staffing rates.

“It is incumbent on FEMA, and the entire Federal government, to fight waste, fraud, and abuse, and we support subjecting the largest reimbursements to serious scrutiny. However, once such reviews are complete, there is no excuse for allowing bureaucratic red tape to slow disbursement of funds. This delay is inexcusable and is antithetical to President Trump’s stated commitment to enhancing government efficiency,”continued the senator.

Read the full text of the letter here and below.

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Dear Ms. Evans:

I write to express my deep concern regarding delayed reimbursements of Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) funds to healthcare providers across the Commonwealth for costs they incurred during the COVID-19 pandemic response.

As you may know, there is more than $600 million in unobligated FEMA Public Assistance funding owed to healthcare providers in Pennsylvania alone. During the COVID-19 pandemic, our hospitals, doctors, nurses, and support staff stepped up and delivered for their patients. However, this effort placed tremendous strain on hospitals across the state, requiring them to absorb large expenses to protect their communities.

It is incumbent on FEMA, and the entire Federal government, to fight waste, fraud, and abuse, and we support subjecting the largest reimbursements to serious scrutiny. However, once such reviews are complete, there is no excuse for allowing bureaucratic red tape to slow disbursement of funds. This delay is inexcusable and is antithetical to President Trump’s stated commitment to enhancing government efficiency.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, healthcare providers stepped up and did everything in their power to stop the spread of the virus, care for those infected, and ensure facilities remained safe for patients and staff. These reimbursements are critical to the financial health of crucial medical providers and must be disbursed quickly.

I appreciate your prompt attention to this matter.

Sincerely,