(AP) Maine veterans homes are set to receive nearly $2 million in federal funding to help with the coronavirus pandemic.
Maine has a higher percentage of veterans than the nation at large. Republic Sen. Susan Collins and independent Sen. Angus King said Tuesday the increased funding “will help to ensure Maine’s veterans continue to receive quality health care as we combat this public health and economic crisis.”
The money is a product of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs appropriations bill that became law late last year. The law allowed the VA to use up to $100 million to make one-time emergency payments to state veterans homes, the senators said.
The largest share of the money is going to a veterans home in Scarborough that is set to receive more than $500,000. The veterans homes provide long-term care to veterans.
