State pledges $15 million to help Maryland’s adult day care facilities – CBS Baltimore

BALTIMORE (WJZ) – The Maryland Department of Health has committed $15 million in emergency funding to support adult day care facilities responding to the COVID-19 surge, the agency said Tuesday.

The funds, drawn from Maryland’s American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) grant, are intended to cover the operating costs of the facilities so they can continue pandemic response efforts.

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“AMDC centers provide a valuable service to some of Maryland’s most vulnerable citizens and their families,” said Maryland Health Minister Dennis Schrader. “These centers help individuals stay in their homes and communities, avoiding more costly institutional long-term care.”

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Last month, Governor Larry Hogan pledges $100 million to hospitals and nursing homes deal with the COVID-19 surge. About half of that is to help address staffing shortages.

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The state also recently announced that it has received first shipment of FDA-approved antivirals manufactured by Pfizer and Merck, will be prescribed to people at high risk.