GLASGOW, Ky. — T.J. Samson Community Hospital will receive nearly $6.9 million in federal disaster reimbursement funding tied to expenses incurred during the COVID-19 pandemic, Gov. Andy Beshear announced Friday.

The Glasgow-based hospital is among six Kentucky healthcare systems and agencies sharing more than $105 million in FEMA disaster reimbursements for costs related to the pandemic response between January 2020 and May 2023.

According to the governor’s office, T.J. Samson Community Hospital will receive $6,917,666.16 through FEMA Disaster 4497, the federal COVID-19 major disaster declaration for Kentucky.

The reimbursements cover costs associated with hospital safety measures, patient care, staffing, personal protective equipment, medications and other emergency response expenses during the pandemic.

“What our hospitals did during the pandemic is nothing short of heroic, and my administration worked hard to make sure the reimbursements they were owed under the president’s emergency declaration were delivered,” Beshear said in a statement. “While this funding is being received years later, it couldn’t come at a better time, as our hospitals face challenges due to federal Medicaid cuts.”

Neil Thornbury, CEO of T.J. Regional Health, said the funding recognizes the strain healthcare providers faced during the pandemic and will help support healthcare access in rural Kentucky.

“There were tremendous demands on healthcare organizations across Kentucky, and this funding acknowledges both the sacrifices made by healthcare workers and the ongoing need to ensure rural communities have access to strong, dependable healthcare close to home,” Thornbury said.

Thornbury said the hospital’s staff responded during “one of the most difficult periods in healthcare history” and said the reimbursement will help the organization continue planning for the future.

The state said reimbursements awarded to hospitals across Kentucky were used for expenses including contract labor, emergency protective measures, medical supplies and medications such as remdesivir.

Other healthcare systems receiving reimbursements include Appalachian Regional Healthcare, Baptist Health, UofL Health, AdventHealth Manchester and Pikeville Medical Center. Kentucky Emergency Management also received more than $41.8 million tied to pandemic-related response costs.

State officials said the reimbursements are being processed and distributed as quickly as possible.