COVID-19 News from NAHU September 21, 2020

This newsletter contains updates on legislation, regulation and guidance on the federal and state levels in response to COVID-19. Please visit the Coronavirus Information section of the NAHU website for more resources.   The NAHU COVID-19 Relief Fund has been created to provide financial support to NAHU members and their families that have been most impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. Financial support could provide monetary assistance with out of pocket medical expenses, unanticipated funeral expenses, or other special circumstance COVID-19 related expenses for members in good standing and their legal dependents.   If you or fellow member has been impacted and you would like to apply for assistance, please click here. If you are in a position to make a contribution to help support your fellow NAHU member, we ask that you please donate here. These contributions are tax-deductible.   Congress The House Problem Solvers Caucus released a $1.5 trillion coronavirus relief plan. The March to Common Ground framework includes, among other things, a second round of stimulus checks, boosted unemployment benefits, funding for COVID-19 testing and contract tracing, funding for state and local governments, and additional money for small-business loans. With Senate Republican leaders aiming to let members head home at the end of next week to hit the campaign trail, it appears unlikely that a deal on another COVID-19 relief package will be reached prior to the election, as Majority Whip John Thune (R-SD) indicated the primary goal is to complete work on a continuing resolution to fund the government beyond September 30. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) voiced optimism that a bipartisan agreement on coronavirus legislation is possible, but stated, "...it's hard to see how we can go any lower [than $2.2 trillion] when you only have greater needs." Senators Doug Jones (D-AL) and John Kennedy (R-LA) introduced the Disaster Relief for Southeastern Small Businesses Act of 2020, which would forgive small-business loans made under the CARES Act. The House Small Business Committee passed four bipartisan bills to improve the Small Business Administration Microloan Program, increase small-business exporting opportunities and expand federal small-business initiatives. House Ways and Means Ranking Member Kevin Brady (R-TX) introduced legislation that would create a payroll tax holiday from September 1 through December 31. Representatives Tony Cárdenas (D-CA) and Watson Coleman (D-NJ) introduced the COVID-19 Health Disparities Action Act, which would require targeted testing, contract tracing, public awareness campaigns, and outreach efforts specifically directed at racial and ethnic minority communities and other populations that have been made vulnerable to the pandemic. Representatives Bob Latta (R-OH) and Debbie Dingell (D-MI) introduced the Temporary Reciprocity to Ensure Access to Treatment (TREAT) Act to provide temporary licensing reciprocity for healthcare professionals in all states for all types of services during designated public health emergency declarations, like the COVID-19 pandemic. Representative Dutch Ruppersberger (D-MD) introduced federal legislation providing “hero” pay to hospital workers on the frontlines of the pandemic. Administration  The Office of Management and Budget sent a memo to executive departments and agencies informing them they are to implement the payroll tax deferral to their employees “to the maximum extent feasible.” HHS and the Department of Defense unveiled the Trump Administration's distribution of COVID-19 vaccine strategy. Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell pushed for additional fiscal support and indicated he believes there is "appetite on the part of all the relevant players to do something." The Federal Reserve, Office of the Comptroller of the Currency and the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation announced that federal examiners will provide more flexibility in evaluating loans originating under the Main Street Lending Program. CMS issued revised guidance providing detailed recommendations on ways nursing homes can safely facilitate visitation in both indoor and outdoor settings and in compassionate-care situations during the pandemic. States CMS issued guidance to state Medicaid directors designed to advance the adoption of value-based care strategies across their healthcare systems and align provider incentives across payers. The IRS released a state-by-state breakdown of the roughly 9 million people receiving a special mailing this month encouraging them to see if they’re eligible to claim an Economic Impact Payment. Track where all 50 states stand on reopening. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention released resources to assist states to reopen. CMS has approved over 200 requests for state relief in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, including recent approvals for Alaska, Iowa, Hawaii, New Jersey, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Utah and Virginia.