NEW YORK – On April 17, Congresswoman Carolyn B. Maloney (NY-12) joined Queens Borough President Donovan Richards and community leaders to announce the $4,320,500 she secured for the Floating Hospital in the American Rescue Plan. The resources are part of the American Rescue Plan’s investments to expand health services and access to COVID-19 vaccines in underserved communities.

The Floating Hospital can use the funding to expand COVID-19 vaccinations, testing, and treatment for vulnerable populations; deliver preventive and primary healthcare services to people at higher risk for COVID-19; and expand health centers’ operational capacity during the pandemic and beyond, including by modifying and improving physical infrastructure and adding mobile units.

“I am so glad to say that we have finally turned a corner in recovering from this crisis. With safe and effective vaccines and every single New Yorker over the age of 16 eligible to receive one, I am hopeful and optimistic about our city’s future. But we wouldn’t be here without organizations like the Floating Hospital, whose incredible staff stepped up and stepped in as the COVID-19 crisis bore down on our city,” said Congresswoman Maloney. “Even in the face of staff and revenue shortages, the Floating Hospital has continued to provide life-saving care to underserved communities and played a pivotal and indelible role in our response to the COVID-19 crisis. They have insure that everyone – especially those in typically underserved communities – got the help they needed and deserved. I’m thrilled to report that to aid them in continuing this lifesaving work, the American Rescue Plan includes more than $4.3 million dollars for the Floating Hospital.”

"With a healthcare system here in Queens that was overburdened well before the COVID-19 pandemic struck with deadly, unprecedented force, greatly expanding access to quality healthcare deserving of our families must be the top priority of all our leaders on all levels of government. With the passage of the American Rescue Plan, we've done just that," said Queens Borough President Donovan Richards Jr. "These critical funds, which will be used right here at the Floating Hospital, will help expedite our COVID-19 testing and vaccination efforts in underserved neighborhoods and boost the collective health of our communities. Queens is grateful to Rep. Carolyn Maloney and all our borough representatives who fought to bring the American Rescue Plan to life."

“We are grateful for this extraordinary support that will help ensure The Floating Hospital’s remains a safety net for all New Yorkers, especially during a global health crisis that still has a grip on our city,” said Ellen Baker, Executive Director, The Floating Hospital. “Representative Maloney and the Queens Borough President’s Office have been steadfast champions of our mission to provide compassionate, high-quality healthcare and more to all who need it, regardless of their ability to pay. This grant will make certain that we can do just that, and continue to provide much needed support for our city’s most vulnerable families during the pandemic.”

“This money will ensure that people are tested and vaccinated,” said April Simpson, President Emeritus, Queensbridge Residents’ Association. “Corona is still here and this money will ensure that underserved communities are taken care of.”