PHOENIX – Arizona senior Senator Kyrsten Sinema today announced that following her efforts, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services granted Santa Cruz Valley Regional Hospital $6.4 million in Advanced Medicare payments. Sinema acknowledged that the funding is a first step, and pledged to continue working to ensure rural and community hospitals, like Santa Cruz Valley Regional Hospital, receive more relief so they can stay open, keep paying their employees, and provide critical care for Arizonans during the coronavirus outbreak.
“In the face of the coronavirus pandemic, Arizona hospitals and health centers must get the resources needed to keep saving lives. I am proud to announce that this funding for Santa Cruz Valley Regional Hospital is a first step, and I’ll continue to push for more federal relief to ensure rural Arizona hospitals can stay open so they can care for all Arizonans,” said Sinema.
Immediately following the passage of the CARES Act, Sinema began working with providers across Arizona, including the Santa Cruz Valley Regional Hospital, to utilize multiple relief programs made possible by the new law. Sinema, in coordination with Rep. Daniel Hernandez, Rep. Rosanna Gabaldón, and Sen. Andrea Dalessandro, worked tirelessly to help the Hospital access a $6.4 million loan through the CMS Advance Payment system, allowing the hospital to receive a sizeable advance in their Medicare reimbursements to help keep their doors open during the coronavirus outbreak. Sinema previously announced CMS approved Santa Cruz Valley Regional Hospital’s request and today, received confirmation the advance was delivered to the hospital.
