WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Ben Cardin and Chris Van Hollen and Congressmen Steny H. Hoyer, Dutch Ruppersberger, John Sarbanes, Kweisi Mfume, Anthony G. Brown, Jamie Raskin and David Trone (all D-Md.) today announced more than $560 million in emergency federal funding for the Maryland Department of Health (MDH) to help boost the state’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic and aid its vaccine distribution efforts.

This latest funding from the U.S. Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) comes after President Joe Biden authorized the full reimbursement of states for COVID-19 related emergency expenses. It includes $341,166,647 to purchase PPE, ventilators, cleaning supplies and other medical equipment, along with $219,525,891 to help distribute the COVID-19 vaccine and support emergency medical services statewide.

“This latest infusion of federal funding for Maryland will support state and local governments, hospitals, health care providers, first responders and other frontline workers that have carried the financial burden of purchasing equipment and supplies necessary as they work to care for coronavirus patients, administer the COVID-19 vaccine and bring the virus under control,” the lawmakers said. “Team Maryland will continue working tirelessly to provide our communities with the resources they need to eliminate COVID-19 and keep Marylanders safe as we fight this pandemic.”

This recent round of federal emergency assistance comes after the Maryland Delegation successfully obtained swift approval of a major disaster declaration for the state. Throughout the pandemic, the Delegation has worked to secure funding and resources to help MDH – and other state and local entities across Maryland – respond to the public health crisis. The lawmakers recently announced nearly $350 million in funds for MDH to expand testing, contact tracing and vaccination efforts.

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