CULTURE

Jeanne Shaheen Announces $24.5 Million for New Hampshire COVID Relief

U.S. Senator Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH) announced on June 4 that New Hampshire will receive over $24.5 million to combat health disparities among high-risk and medically underserved communities due to COVID-19. She joined the U.S. Senator Maggie Hassan (D-NH), Representative Annie Kuster (NH-02), and Representative Chris Pappas (NH-01) in a press release.
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U.S. Senator Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH) announced on June 4 that New Hampshire will receive over $24.5 million to combat health disparities among high-risk and medically underserved communities due to COVID-19. She joined the U.S. Senator Maggie Hassan (D-NH), Representative Annie Kuster (NH-02), and Representative Chris Pappas (NH-01) in a press release.

Jeanne Shaheen revealed legislation that will give New Hampshire $24,568,498 to address COVID-19 health disparities, which have hurt communities of color and rural communities. She wrote on Twitter, “Minority and rural communities in NH have borne the brunt of COVID-19 with a disproportionate share of cases and hospitalizations. We must address health disparities these communities face, which is what this $24.5M in federal funding will help do.”

In the NH delegation’s press release, Senator Shaheen said the pandemic worsened the “Serious barriers and inequities in New Hampshire’s health care system” that rural residents and residents of color face. She also stated, “To get to the other side of this crisis, we must address these health disparities and ensure all Granite Staters have access to the health care services they need regardless of their location, background, or income, which is exactly what these federal dollars will help do.” Shaheen helped negotiate the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act of March 2020, which gave New Hampshire $1.25 billion for COVID-19 response efforts.

Senator Hassan stated that New Hampshire’s rural residents and people of color “Often lack access to the high-quality health care that they need, and this has been especially true amid the COVID-19 pandemic.” She added that the relief bill “Will help New Hampshire address these ongoing health disparities and get critical resources to Granite Staters.” Hassan and Shaheen provided legislation for another COVID-19 relief bill last December, which provided urgent assistance to students, families, businesses, workers, and health care providers.

Representative Pappas explained that high-risk NH residents and underserved communities “Have been hit incredibly hard by this pandemic.” In addition, he ensured that the relief bill “Will help address health disparities that have arisen because of COVID-19 through a number of improved services and resources. It will also ensure that local community partners are able to address COVID-19 health disparities and keep our communities healthy and safe.”

Representative Kuster expressed her hope of “Building back better” and stated, “It’s critical that our underserved and rural communities that have been disproportionately affected by this pandemic have access to the support they need, including the highly effective COVID-19 vaccines. That’s what these federal dollars help accomplish – I was proud to help secure these much-needed funds and will continue working to ensure no Granite Stater is left behind.”

For COVID-19 resources, visit Senator Jeanne Shaheen’s official website.