The funds are designed to help support hospitals to care for "their most vulnerable patients," according to the release. Disproportionate Share Hospitals, those which serve a disproportionate amount of low-income and uninsured patients, are eligible to received the additional money.
Every year, states receive an annual allotment that is used to pay hospitals for the cost of treating uninsured and low-income patients. The Recovery Act increases the states’ allotments from $11.06 billion to $11.33 billion.
CMS will notify states regarding the availability of the increased portion of allotments for hospitals.
Read about the additional HHS Recovery Act funds.
