The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has obligated $78 million to the State of Iowa to help reimburse eligible expenses for emergency protective measures that the state has incurred as a result of its response to COVID-19.
The grant funds, awarded by FEMA’s Public Assistance (PA) Grant Program, were made available Thursday, May 6, and are authorized under a major disaster declaration approved by President Trump on March 29 for the entire state. In total, FEMA has provided nearly $150 million to date in support of the state’s COVID-19 efforts.
The money reimburses 75% of projected eligible costs associated with buying essential Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), and medical supplies and equipment during the months of May and June 2020. The supplies include medical gowns, surgical masks, face shields, safety glasses and gloves, disinfectant, respirators, and viral swab collections kits.
This obligation also includes: $19.5 million in contract services for TestIowa, $35,000 in contract services associated with overseas PPE purchases, and $13.7 million for additional medical supplies and equipment for the month of April. All figures represent the 75% federal share. The 25% is paid by the grant recipient.
In addition to the $78 million, FEMA has obligated the following money for Iowa (75% federal share):
- $44 million to reimburse eligible costs for buying essential PPE, medical supplies and equipment for March and April;
- $4 million to reimburse state administrative costs associated with COVID-19 response;
- $17 million to pay costs associated with the deployment of Iowa National Guard members deployed under Title 32 authorities;
- $4.2 million to the Veterans Health Administration to pay for use of up to 20 beds at VA facilities and to pay for extra nursing care at state veteran’s facility.
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