St. Luke given share of $30 billion from federal emergency funds

By PHYLLIS ZORN

Staff writer

St. Luke Hospital on Friday got a share of $30 billion being distributed from the federal Health and Human Services agency’s Public Health and Social Services Emergency Fund.

“We did receive funds this morning,” CEO Jeremy Ensey said Friday. “It will at least make a dent. It totaled a little over $300,000.”

St. Luke had earlier announced revenue loss expected to reach $1 million by the end of this month caused by cancelations and lower use of services such as laboratory, therapy, and clinic visits.

To cut losses, the hospital closed the front desk, clinic, laboratory, and radiology departments at noon on Fridays; froze employee pay rates; suspend employer match for retirement accounts; and cut one hour of work a week for office and management employees who do not provide direct patient care.

Payments from the fund are proportionate to medical providers’ share of Medicare fee-for-service reimbursements in 2019.

Congressman Roger Marshall said 3,320 Kansan health care providers are expected to receive over $325 million in relief funding.

“I want to convey a message of hope,” Marshall said. “People can live in fear or they can choose to live in faith and hope. We have to keep our eyes on the ball and do the things the president asks you to do.”

Marshall reminds people that most Americans will get a stimulus check of up to $1,200.

“Half of American jobs are with small businesses,” Marshall said.

“My priorities are to take care of the health and jobs of Kansans.”

Forgivable loans to small businesses are available, and unemployment insurance has been changed to begin the first day of unemployment and extended for more weeks, Marshall said.