The Federation and eight other health care organizations sent a letter today to HHS Secretary Xavier Becerra urging the agency to extend the deadline by which providers must use their COVID-19 Provider Relief Fund (PRF) payments, as well as distribute the remaining PRF resources.

Currently, providers must spend the PRF funding they received by June 30th, the letter asks that time frame be adjusted to the end of the public health emergency PHE) declaration.

The letter states, “Our hospitals will continue to face challenges beyond June 30 in providing adequate staffing, supplies, personal protective equipment, testing and vaccinations. We therefore request that you intercede on behalf of our hospitals and health systems and provide critical assistance by expending the remaining PRF resources and tying the utilization date to the PHE.”

The letter was signed by FAH, America’s Essential Hospitals, American Hospital Association, Association of American Medical Colleges, Catholic Health Association of the United States, Children’s Hospital Association, National Association for Behavioral Healthcare, Premier healthcare alliance, and Vizient, Inc.

You can find the complete letter here.