Menendez, Booker Announce Over $21 Million for NJ’s Hospital Preparedness Program and Public Health Emergency Preparedness

Newark, N.J. - U.S. Senators Bob Menendez (D-N.J.) and Cory Booker (D-N.J.) announced today a $21,050,968 grant awarded by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to the Hospital Preparedness Program (HPP) in Trenton, NJ and The Public Health Emergency Preparedness (PHEP) Cooperative Agreement. These two programs help state prepare for disaster and public health emergencies. PHEP Cooperative Agreements are the support the work of state health departments as they prepare for disasters- from disease outbreaks to a natural disaster like Superstorm Sandy.

The HPP provides funding and technical assistance to every state and territory to ensure their health systems can respond and recover from a disaster. This means statewide, hospitals can collaborate to ensure the residents of that state can get the medical care they need in the event of an emergency.

"The people of New Jersey remember all too clearly how scary and confusing it can be when disaster strikes. However, there are steps we can take to prepare for disaster- be it a storm like Sandy, and act of terrorism like the events of 9/11, or a pandemic like the H1N1 Influenza outbreak," said Sen. Menendez. "All of these events strained local resources and programs like HPP and the PHEP Cooperative Agreements ensure New Jerseyans are able to plan for and handle a variety of disasters. As Irma bears down on the continental United States and the cleanup from Harvey continues, it is important we continue to ensure these two programs are available to states to ensure our citizens stay safe."

"Recent natural disasters across our nation underscore the critical need to have resources in place beforehand to help save lives," said Sen. Booker. "The preparation and coordination between agencies prior to a disaster is key to emergency response. Federal investment in vital programs like this with help provide medical professionals the resources they need to keep New Jersey families safe when we need it most."

Read this original document at: https://www.menendez.senate.gov/news-and-events/press/menendez-booker-announce-over-21-million-for-njs-hospital-preparedness-program-and-public-health-emergency-preparedness-