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Democrats push for funding for hospitals in next stimulus round

WASHINGTON — Democrats are pushing to double the Trump administration’s proposal for the next round of stimulus funding to a total of $500 billion which would include $100 billion for hospitals.

Health care workers and governors have been speaking out about supplies running thin.

"We're sourcing personal protective equipment, literally around the world. We need more,” Gov. Phil Murphy (D-New Jersey) said.

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer said Wednesday $100 billion of the proposal would be for “hospitals, community health centers and health systems” to provide “desperately needed resources” such as personal protective equipment (PPE).

Their plan would also include $150 billion for local governments and $250 billion for aid for small businesses.

President Trump has been pushing for economic support for businesses impacted by the pandemic and has also pushed $250 billion in aid.

"We are going to be providing tremendous amounts of money to the small businesses of our country who have been absolutely clobbered,” President Trump said Tuesday.

The Democrats’ proposal came after a report earlier in the week by the Inspector General for the Department of Health and Human Services that revealed hospitals across the country are facing severe shortages of critical supplies needed to fight the coronavirus.

President Trump blasted that report after it became public.

"It’s just wrong. Did I hear the word inspector general, really? It’s wrong,” President Trump said.

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