Washington, D.C. -- Congressman Michael C. Burgess, M.D. (R-TX), a member of the House Rules Committee and Republican Leader of the House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Health, led more than 30 Members of the House in sending a letter to Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Alex Azar. 

The letter thanks the Secretary and his team for the implementation of the CARES Act and offers some ideas for consideration as the agency continues its work to provide financial support for health care providers as we face the COVID-19 pandemic. Specifically, it requests that HHS consider nursing homes, skilled nursing centers, senior living communities, independent living, assisted living, memory care, and continuing care retirement communities as it is distributing provider relief funding. 

“I appreciate the efforts already made by HHS to provide relief to our nation’s health care providers on the front lines of COVID-19,” Burgess said. “It is especially important that the agency take into consideration the additional challenges that providers caring for vulnerable aging populations face while confronting the reality of COVID-19. Facilities such as nursing homes, skilled nursing facilities, and senior living communities face a difficult road ahead as they care for an older population that has been disproportionately affected by COVID-19.” 

In the letter, the members request that these facilities qualify for a portion of the PHSSEF grant funding that was provided by both the CARES Act and the Paycheck Protection Program and Health Care Enhancement Act. These seniors and their care providers are on the front lines and need to see assistance quickly materialize from this program.