FILE: Trent Riddle, a magistrate for Barren County’s second district, listens as members of the Barren Fiscal Court discuss matters at an earlier meeting.
(PHOTO: BRENNAN CRAIN)
BY BRENNAN D. CRAIN, WCLU News
GLASGOW — Healthcare employees in Barren County who did not receive a payment from county government for their work during the pandemic may apply for the funding after a measure passed last week.
Barren County government was provided over $8 million by the federal government as a part of the American Rescue Plan Act. Magistrates agreed to allocate $1 million toward the local healthcare sector – half went to education and retainment while the other half went toward premium pay for those who worked during the height of the pandemic.
Magistrates of the Barren Fiscal Court voted last week to advertise again the availability of funds and expand coverage to healthcare workers who did not receive the $929.37 payment the first time. The entire portion of money allotted to the healthcare sector was provided to T.J. Regional Health for disbursal in early 2022.
Carl Dickerson, a magistrate for Barren County’s third district, brought concerns before the court in July about healthcare workers who did not receive a payment – though they were apparently eligible under earlier guidelines set by the court.
The county has not yet received a report of individuals who received payments earlier this year, according to information from Jenny Hoffman, the county treasurer.
The criteria to receive a healthcare premium payment from the Barren Fiscal Court was set at an earlier meeting of the court. Magistrates added language to an advertisement to include other members of the healthcare field such as pharmacies and assisted living employees.
The full criteria are listed below.
- Must have worked in the healthcare field between March 13, 2020, and March 13, 2021.
- Applicants must still work at the same job OR have worked at the job through May 13, 2022.
- Applicants must have proof that they meet these requirements.
- Applicants must apply by Oct. 11, 2022, by sending an email to swaggerkrista@gmail.com.
Premium pay may be granted to healthcare workers of pharmacies, doctor’s offices, assisted living facilities, long-term care facilities and urgent care offices. The payments are not limited to employees of these organizations.