Wisconsin Governor Tony Evers on Wednesday dished out $20 million in “healthcare infrastructure” grants.
The funds will be used to upgrade and improve portions of the Marshfield Medical Center-Park Falls, according to a release from the governor’s office.
“This healthcare facility bridges an important gap in healthcare access in the Park Falls community, and they would not be able to continue to provide care without some critically needed upgrades and modernization,” said Gov. Evers. “This investment will allow them to keep providing high-quality care in the community, and I am glad to support this project today and to continue supporting the health and well-being of folks in the Park Falls area.”
Evers also argued the funds will help reduce the gap in medical coverage for residents who live in rural areas of the state.
Utilizing funds from the American Rescue Plan and other federal coronavirus relief, Evers has handed out millions in grants and other forms of governmental help.
However, in an initial proposed piece of legislation, federal lawmakers sought to take back some of the federal funds awarded to state and local governments.
Before the final version removed the provision, Evers and other state leaders slammed the measure, forcing Democratic leadership in Congress to reconsider.
“This virus has not discriminated or abided by state borders based on economic data. While Wisconsin’s unemployment is at historic lows, our state nevertheless still faces many of the same challenges experienced by states across the country in ensuring our continued, long-term economic recovery,” Gov. Evers wrote in a letter to congressional leaders. “To that end, I write today because it would be unfortunate to honor the one-year anniversary of the American Rescue Plan Act — legislation that has been essential for our state’s and our country’s economic recovery — with an effort to arbitrarily retract aid from certain states.”
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Cooper Moran is a reporter for The Wisconsin Daily Star and The Star News Network. Email tips to [email protected].
Photo “Tony Evers” by Governor Tony Evers.
