September 2021 Group Watch: Gov. Ivey Announces Funds to Hire Traveling Nurses
The governor announced the state would reallocate $12.3 million federal COVID-19 aid to pay for additional travel nurses to help Alabama’s struggling hospitals, many of which continue to see record numbers of COVID-19 patients. Public health officials and the Alabama Hospital Association say the state’s nursing shortage is the state’s most pressing need. The overwhelming demand for hospital beds are for unvaccinated patients. The $12.3 million of CARES ACT funds were previously obligated but not reimbursed among the various approved expenditures. House and Senate leadership praised the governor’s decision to help with the nursing crisis
