Throughout the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic, well being care techniques not solely have been slammed with tons of of sufferers in want of pressing care however many absolutely bore the price of treating sufferers who wound up in emergency rooms and intensive care models. These are two of the costlier hospital remedy facilities.
States and counties additionally helped foot the prices incurred by the pandemic. And now, after years of delay, the federal authorities mentioned it’ll reimburse entities a complete of $5.4 billion.
Of that, the state, a few of its municipalities and hospital techniques will obtain $538 million.
The Washington State Division of Well being will obtain $262 million; King County, $72 million; Swedish Well being Companies, $7.2 million; and Windfall Well being & Companies Washington, $6.1 million.
The information is a welcomed improvement.
The Federal Emergency Administration Company has been round since 1979. It’s the company that People depend on in occasions of emergencies and pure disasters that native communities can’t deal with.
However in relation to FEMA, the Trump administration has not been a dependable accomplice. The pink states appear to get precedence and the blue states are hit with delays, such because the case with California and the fires that destroyed 9,000 buildings and killed 19 in 2025. When the bomb cyclone tore by means of six counties in Washington in 2024, Trump rejected the state’s request for federal aid. Though main December flooding in Washington left tens of 1000’s of individuals with out housing and sources, the federal authorities didn’t approve Washington’s request for a federal catastrophe declaration till April 10.
Including to the delay was President Donald Trump’s government order that created the Activity Drive to Remove Fraud. With that FEMA, an company from which Trump has reduce jobs and tried to outright eradicate, carried out evaluations of claimed prices in functions for reimbursement. Additionally including to the delays have been the instability of FEMA management and that of the Division of Homeland Safety.
State leaders know that in relation to pure disasters, the federal authorities can’t be relied on to lend a well timed serving to hand. Due to this fact, it’s extra prudent than ever to plan forward and be good stewards of the sources they’ll management.
