UPMC Chautauqua P-J photo by Jay Young

UPMC Chautauqua in Jamestown and Brooks Memorial Hospital in Dunkirk are scheduled to receive millions of dollars in health system funding by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

The funding — $10.367 million for UPMC Chautauqua and $5 million for Brooks — was announced Friday by U.S. Sen. Chuck Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand. The money has been earmarked for New York state’s “safety net” hospitals that provide health care to patients.

In all, more than $290 million will go to hospitals across the state.

Schumer and Gillibrand said while hospitals in upstate New York were extremely busy as the frontline defense against the virus, many health systems saw a significant decrease in earnings as revenue-creating services, such as elective surgeries, were put on hold to help combat the pandemic.

“Upstate New York’s ‘safety net’ hospitals were our critical, frontline defense against COVID-19 and it is only with their help that we were able to flatten the curve and begin the reopening process. As we begin to reopen, we must not forget the bravery and incredible sacrifices healthcare centers made to care for Upstate New York in our darkest hour,” Schumer said in a statement. “I will continue to fight tirelessly to make sure New York’s world-class healthcare workforce and all our hospitals get all the federal support they need to get on the road to recovery.”

“Frontline workers have risked their lives and fought tirelessly to keep New Yorkers safe during the COVID-19 outbreak,” Gillibrand added. “Our safety net hospitals treated patients regardless of insurance status and because of their sacrifice, New York is progressing toward a safe reopening. As we move forward, this funding will provide direct relief to help these critical hospitals recover financially. I am grateful to our health care workers for their tireless work and devotion to public health and I will continue fighting for the resources needed to repair and recover.