The state has paid $29.6 million to construct and maintain three field hospitals that have gone unused during the coronavirus crisis, but this insurance policy could pay dividends as COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations climb higher.
The makeshift facilities, built in April in case the state’s hospitals were overwhelmed by the fast-spreading virus, were paid for using part of Rhode Island’s $1.25 billion allocation from the federal Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act.
When the number of COVID-19 cases waned in early summer, the state decided to decommission two of the three field hospitals – one at the R.I. Convention Center and another in North Kingstown.
Gov. Gina M. Raimondo’s administration has been scrutinized by some for the way it has allocated its federal stimulus money, but Brett Smiley, the director of the R.I. Department of Administration, has previously said that the cost of the field hospitals was “a small price to pay for a large amount of security.”
By mid-November, the remaining surge hospital in Cranston was being prepped to admit its first patients as cases have reached alarming numbers again. And officials are also preparing to reactivate the hospital at the convention center, if necessary.
Despite the dollars used to pay for the surge hospitals coming from the federal government, the Federal Emergency Management Agency is expected to reimburse states a portion of eligible expenses spent to fight the novel coronavirus, state officials said.
“We get 75 cents back for every dollar we spend. There’s no limit on the amount of FEMA money, it’s only a question of if it’s eligible or not,” Smiley said.
Despite CARES Act funds having restrictions, Smiley said he expects the hospitals to be entirely, or nearly entirely, FEMA eligible.
“No state tax dollars, no local money, [have been] used on those hospitals,” said Smiley. “As much as we can push under FEMA, we will.”
Smiley expects the state to have about $323 million worth of pandemic-related expensive eligible for FEMA reimbursement, which means the state could see about $242 million in reimbursements. But when the state would see that money remains unclear.
Meanwhile, M. Teresa Paiva Weed, president of the Hospital Association of Rhode Island, said in a statement that the organization is supportive of the way the Raimondo administration has handled the field hospitals.
The Cranston surge hospital, which is managed by Care New England Health System, was nearly ready to open as of Nov. 18, other than hiring additional staff. CNE spokeswoman Raina Smith said the system is looking to get two to three ”pods” of 50 to 100 beds each open soon.
The site, a former Citizens Bank call center, has so far cost Rhode Island $2.28 million in leasing and $5.8 million in construction and maintenance. If the hospital filled with patients, Smiley said, it will cost $15 million each month to operate.
Lifespan Corp. has overseen the field hospital at the R.I. Convention Center, which was planned to be decommissioned, but based on the recent outbreak, the state is preparing to make it operational, according to Robert Dulski, s R.I. Department of Administration spokesman.
The state didn’t complete the construction of the hospital at Quonset Point in North Kingstown and is in the process of dismantling it.
Alexa Gagosz is a PBN staff writer. Contact her at Gagosz@PBN.com.
