WASHINGTON, D.C. – Energy and Commerce Republican Leader Greg Walden (R-OR) and Subcommittee on Health Republican Leader Dr. Michael Burgess (R-TX) released the following statement on the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) plans to disburse the second round of provider payments authorized under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act.

“We thank Secretary Azar and HHS officials for making good on their commitment to bring equity to provider relief payments as they continue to disburse funding provided in the CARES Act. Providers with large Medicaid and Medicare Advantage patient populations, as well as those in rural areas and hot spots, are also facing enormous financial hardships. We are hopeful this additional relief – paired with the administration’s relaxing of restrictions on elective procedures in certain areas – will help ease the burden on hospitals and other health care providers around the country. We also commend the administration for their efforts to cover the cost of care for those who are uninsured. Our nation is navigating unprecedented challenges. We must keep our eye on the ball to ensure patients can continue to access the care they need, regardless of where they live or their socioeconomic status, and we thank each and every health care provider working around the clock to provide care to Americans during this difficult time,” said Walden and Burgess.

Background:

The CARES Act allocated $100 billion for the Public Health and Social Services Emergency Fund to help providers and other health care entities that are responding to the coronavirus pandemic. Leaders Walden and Burgess released a statement on April 14, 2020 after receiving assurances from HHS they would prioritize rural areas, hot spots, and providers with large Medicare Advantage and Medicaid patient populations in forthcoming payments. Today, HHS announced they would provide $400 million for Indian Health Service facilities, $10 billion for COVID-19 hot spots, $10 billion for rural providers, and $20 billion to shore up the first round of payments, as well as the opening of a portal for providers to submit claims to help cover the costs associated with caring for uninsured patients. Providers can find more information on this additional relief HERE. 

HHS already disbursed $30 billion to nearly 500,000 providers based on Medicare fee-for-service data from fiscal year 2019. The portal for providers to sign an attestation confirming receipt of these funds launched the week of April 13, 2020. Recipients have 30 days to complete the required filing. You can find that information HERE.

The latest COVID-19 response package, the Paycheck Protection Program and Health Care Enhancement Act, includes an additional $75 billion for hospitals. That legislation passed the Senate on April 21, 2020 and is scheduled to be considered by the House on April 23, 2020.

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