Dozens of organizations to share millions in pandemic relief funds

Some 129 long-term care organizations are in line to receive $25 million in state pandemic relief, Gov. Janet Mills announced Thursday.

State lawmakers approved the payments in the bipartisan supplemental budget that Maine's Democratic governor signed into law in February following bipartisan passage by the Legislature.

The aim is to support providers' continued recovery from the pandemic, after a previous round of $25 million for 211 long-term care organizations last August.

"Long-term care facilities provide critical services for Maine people, and they are still feeling the lingering impacts of the pandemic — challenges that have only been made more difficult by increased costs," Mills said in Thursday's announcement.

"I am pleased we are getting these resources into the hands of our nursing facilities and other caregivers so they can continue to do their important work, and I thank the Legislature for supporting my proposal to provide this additional funding. My administration will continue to work to ensure that high-quality, affordable long-term care is available for Maine people."

This year's recipients represent 262 service locations across the state, and the $25 million will be distributed in proportion to demonstrated need as determined by historical revenue, resident vacancy rate and spending on contract labor due to staffing shortages.

Jeanne Lambrew, Department of Health and Human Services commissioner, said the new funding will help long-term care facilities offset remaining pandemic-related expenses as they continue to recover.

"These payments are part of unprecedented support for these facilities in light of their critical role during the COVID-19 pandemic and reflect Gov. Mills' commitment to ensuring that high-quality long-term care is affordable and accessible for Maine people," she added.

The funding comes on top of at least $50 million in financial relief distributed directly by the federal government to nursing facilities across Maine.