June 9, 2020

Dear Friends,

The Department of Health and Human Services announced that it will distribute dollars from the Provider Relief Fund to Medicaid and CHIP providers this week. Through an enhanced portal, providers will be able to submit data to be used as a factor in determining their Provider Relief Fund payment. This distribution includes $15 billion for eligible Medicaid and CHIP providers and $10 billion for safety net hospitals that serve our most vulnerable citizens.

Agency Updates
The Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority (BARDA) will expand its partnership with Moderna to increase the domestic manufacturing capacity of Moderna’s COVID-19 vaccine candidate.

• Also, BARDA directed funds to Corning Inc. to expand its domestic manufacturing capacity ofCorning Valor®Glass vials that can be used for vaccinations.

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) revised the policy on decontaminating respirators and is now only authorizing decontamination systems’ use on non-cellulose compatible N95 respirators.

• Additionally, the FDA published Innovation to Respond to COVID-19 and Educational Resources to help the public access information.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention updated information on various topics:

• Caring for racial and ethnic minority groups and other at-risk populations.
• Reaching migrants, refugees, and other limited-English-proficient populations.
• Laboratory biosafety guidelines for handling and processing specimens associated with COVID-19 and the FAQ document on biosafety and COVID-19.
• Staffing resources for health departments.
• How COVID-19 affects pets.

The Federal Reserve announced an expansion of the Main Street lending program to help small and midsized businesses.

• Additionally, the Federal Reserve will expand eligibility for the Municipal Liquidity Facility, permitting all U.S. states to have at least two cities or counties eligible to directly issue notes to the MLF regardless of population.

Texas Updates
The Texas Department of Emergency Management is coordinating with public health officials to identify and rapidly expand COVID-19 testing in underserved and minority communities across Texas that have been disproportionately impacted by COVID-19.

The Texas Collaborative for Healthy Mothers and Babies posted a statement with specific recommendations about the care of pregnant women and infants during COVID-19.

Until next time, this is your doctor's note.

Congressman Michael C. Burgess, M.D.