Today, President Trump signed the Paycheck Protection Program and Health Care Enhancement Act.
Additional funding for the Paycheck Protection Program.
Clarity that publicly-owned rural hospitals and community-owned hospitals qualify for the Paycheck Protection Program.
Additional emergency appropriations for COVID-19 response aimed at testing, health care providers, and research.
National Update: The Department of Health and Human Servicesextended the deadline until 3:00 p.m. EST on Saturday, April 25, for hospitals to submit data that will inform how resources from the Provider Relief Fund will be distributed.
The Federal Emergency Management Agency is allocating $100 million to fire service organizations to purchase personal protective equipment and supplies. They will begin accepting applications for the Fiscal Year 2020 Assistance to Firefighters Grant - COVID-19 Supplemental Program (AFG-S) on Tuesday, April 28 until May 15.
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and U.S. Customs and Border Protectionannounced they have seized over 7,800 illegal health products, such as Virus Shut Out, from entering the country in an effort to protect Americans from purchasing and using products that are not registered with the EPA.
Additionally, the EPA asked technology companies Facebook, eBay, Alibaba, Shopify, Qoo10, JoyBuy.com, Wish.com, and banggood.com to take action to prevent dealers from using their platforms to sell illegal disinfectant products.
The Food and Drug Administration issued a Drug Safety Communication regarding known side effects of hydroxychloroquine and chloroquine that have been reported with their use for the treatment of COVID-19.
Texas Update: The Texas Hospital Association updated its FAQ document on providing essential services in light of Governor Abbott’s April 17 executive order.
The Texas Health and Human Services Commission has also updated their FAQ document on this matter.
Until tomorrow, this is your doctor's note.
Congressman Michael C. Burgess, M.D.
