Coronavirus Phase 3.5: Relief for
Small Businesses, Hospitals |
This week I traveled to Washington to support the Paycheck Protection Program and Health Care Enhancement Act. This next phase of coronavirus legislation will provide nearly $500 billion in relief for small businesses, hospitals and healthcare providers, as well as funding to expand testing.
The Paycheck Protection Program was created in the CARES Act to save jobs and help small businesses that have suffered losses due to the coronavirus outbreak. Demand for this program has been overwhelming, which is why funding ran out in a matter of weeks.
The Senate had a measure that was ready to go over a week ago, but in a partisan, political stunt, Nancy Pelosi, Chuck Schumer, and Democrat leadership blocked the measure and delayed the additional funding. So far, the Paycheck Protection Program has been successful in helping to keep our small businesses afloat, and the Democrats should have never played political games with the livelihoods of workers and businesses who need access to these emergency loans immediately.
Despite the delay, I’m glad we were able to reach an agreement. Here’s a breakdown of what is included in the bill:
Small Businesses
-
$310 billion for the Small Business Administration’s successful Paycheck Protection Program, which will continue providing forgivable loans to cover the cost of payroll and operating expenses for small businesses.
-
$60 billion for the Small Business Administration’s economic injury disaster loans and grants, including $50 billion for economic injury disaster loans - each loan can be up to $2 million with interest rates not to exceed 4% and long-term repayment periods of up to 30 years; and $10 billion for grants of up to $10,000 that do not have to be repaid.
-
Additional funds are provided for the Small Business Administration to administer these programs.
|
If you are a small business owner who would like to apply for PPP, you can contact your lender directly about the program or visit sba.gov/coronavirus for more info.
|
Hospitals and Healthcare Providers
Testing
Agriculture
Do you have a question about the coronavirus or any of the packages passed by Congress? Email me!
CARES Act Provider Relief Fund for Rural Hospitals
The Provider Relief Fund, established as part of the CARES Act, provides $100 billion to hospitals and other healthcare providers combating the coronavirus pandemic. This funding will be used to support healthcare-related expenses or lost revenue attributable to COVID-19, and to ensure uninsured Americans can get testing and treatment for COVID-19.
Specifically, $10 billion will be allocated for rural health clinics and hospitals, which have been more financially exposed to significant declines in revenue. This money will be distributed as early as next week on the basis of operating expenses, using a methodology that distributes payments proportionately to each facility and clinic.
The CDC is looking for public comment on pain management and opioid use.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is accepting public comment from those with perspectives on and experiences with pain and pain management, including, but not limited to, the benefits and harms of opioid use. If you or a family member has acute or chronic pain, or if you are a caregiver or clinician who cares for patients with pain or conditions that can complicate pain management (e.g., opioid use disorder or overdose), visit this link to learn more about how you can share your thoughts through public comment online or through the mail.
As always, my office is here to help. You can email me ⇒ HERE, contact any of our offices or join the conversation on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram.
Sincerely,
Rick Allen
Member of Congress |
|
|
