Two-plus months after the first U.S. novel coronavirus outbreak was discovered in a Washington state nursing home, the federal government announced a $4.9 billion fund dedicated to helping the sector deal with pandemic issues.

The CARES Act stimulus funding began flowing May 22. Each certified nursing home with six or more beds was to receive a base payment of $50,000 initially, augmented by an additional $2,500 per bed.

The amount is less than half of the $10 billion that the American Health Care Association had been lobbying for, but AHCA President and CEO Mark Parkinson and LeadingAge President and CEO Katie Smith Sloan expressed gratitude for the dedicated funds. 

They also immediately began a push for additional testing, personal protective equipment or funding for a broader spectrum of providers, including assisted living operato