Sarbanes, Maryland Congressional Delegation Announce Nearly $28 Million in COVID-19 Relief Funding to Address Health Disparities in Minority and Rural Communities

Press Release

Congressman John Sarbanes (D-Md.) today joined the Maryland Congressional Delegation in announcing $27,943,554 in federal COVID-19 relief funding to reduce health disparities and strengthen health equity initiatives in high-risk and underserved communities across the state.

"This new round of federal COVID-19 assistance will help address the systemic barriers and health disparities that harm minority and rural communities," the lawmakers said. "Communities of color have disproportionately borne the burden of the COVID-19 pandemic. Our delegation will continue to secure additional resources to address these longstanding inequities and ensure that all Marylanders have access to high-quality and affordable health care -- no matter their race, zip code or income."

Funding comes from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services through the Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act, which Congress passed in December 2020. It will strengthen testing, contact tracing and mitigation efforts in vulnerable communities that have been disproportionately impacted by COVID-19.

Funding includes:

$21,211,178 for the Maryland Department of Health

$6,732,376 for the Baltimore City Health Department

Source