The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) announced it will begin distribution this week of $22 billion from the CARES Act to hospitals in “hot spots” and rural hospitals, many of which were operating on thin margins prior to COVID-19 and are now particularly devastated by this pandemic.

The $10 billion rural distribution will go to rural acute care general hospitals and Critical Access Hospitals (CAHs), Rural Health Clinics (RHCs), and Community Health Centers located in rural areas. Arizona providers will receive approximately $82.9 million.