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RMCHCS receives $12.5 million in relief funding

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The COVID-19 pandemic has taken a toll on hospitals around the globe, which is why they have been looking for support wherever they can get it.

Rehoboth McKinley Christian Healthcare Services is no exception. But they have recently been given support from the state and federal governments to the tune of $12.5 million.

David Conejo, RMCHCS CEO, said April 15 the news of potential support funds first broke at the start of the month and the hospital got more information in the past week.

“We were notified we were going to be able to attain $6 million of advance Medicare monies or payments,” Conejo said.

These funds will cover the amount RMCHCS would have earned through Medicare payments in the coming weeks, Conejo added. He also emphasized these funds are a loan.

“We ultimately have to pay back what we were given, but there will be an extended period to do that,” he said.

Then the hospital received $1 million through a grant, which was also given to other hospitals across the state. These funds do not have to be repaid. Conejo said they will be used for whatever the hospital needs it for, be it personal protective equipment, salaries, food supplies, or any other essential instruments.

“And today [April 15], we received word we’re going to receive $5.5 million from the employee protection fund,” Conejo added.

These funds are payroll protection, he said, so they will cover payroll for certain hospital staff because the revenues for elective procedures are drying up since state governors have ordered those procedures be put on hold for the near future.

Conejo said the hospital is continuing to look for additional funding sources, and they appreciate the support they have gotten.

“We just want to express a gratefulness for the state and federal governments for what they’re doing, as well as the taxpayers who are coming up with the money for this,” Conejo said.

By Cody Begaye
Sun Correspondent