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Oklahoma hospitals will receive nearly $500 million from funding approved by Congress to help health care providers make up for lost revenue during the pandemic.

Sen. Jim Inhofe said Friday that the money “will provide immediate relief to the hospitals and providers that are trying to handle the influx of coronavirus cases. Equally important, it will also help maintain the resiliency of providers that are struggling because they are unable to perform elective surgeries and procedures during the crisis.

“This investment in Oklahoma health care will help us weather the crisis, but will also ensure our medical system can operate at full strength once this has passed.”

The Oklahoma share is part of $30 billion the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services is sending to hospitals nationwide. Congress approved a total of $100 billion for hospitals in the relief act that also includes aid for individuals, businesses and governments.