May 1, 2020

Dear Friends,

Today, the Food and Drug Administration issued an emergency use authorization for Gilead’s drug, remdesivir, to be used in cases of hospitalized COVID-19 patients for the duration of the pandemic. Information about safety and effectiveness is still limited, but preliminary results show that remdesivir can shorten recovery time for COVID-19 patients.

National Update:
The Department of Health and Human Services announced how it will distribute Provider Relief Fund dollars included in the CARES Act to COVID-19 hotspots and rural providers.

• $12 billion will go to 395 hospitals that cared for at least 100 COVID-19 patients through April 10. These payments will be comprised of a per COVID-19 inpatient amount plus an additional amount based upon Medicare and Medicaid disproportionate share and uncompensated care payments.
• $10 billion will go to rural hospitals and clinics in the form of a flat base payment plus an additional payment, based upon their operating expenses.

The National Aeronautics and Space Administration designed a ventilator for COVID-19 patients that received an emergency use authorization from the Food and Drug Administration.

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) announced an independent commission that will conduct a comprehensive assessment of the nursing home response to the COVID-19 pandemic in order to help current and future responses to outbreaks.

• CMS published an FAQ document for hospitals and other providers related to the Emergency Medical Treatment and Labor Act.
• Also, CMS released revised information about new and expanded flexibilities available to rural health clinics and federally qualified health clinics.

The Federal Reserve expanded the Main Street Lending Facility to businesses with 15,000 employees or $5 billion in revenue.

House Agriculture Committee Republicans put together a resource guide on the Trump Administration’s and Congress’s response to COVID-19, including background on food supply chain issues, immigration, nutrition, and more.

Texas Update:
The Texas Medical Association launched a Personal Protective Equipment Portal and FAQ document to help distribute equipment to health care professionals.

The Texas Medical Board announced an emergency rule that sets minimum standards for safe practice required of all physicians for in-person patient visits.

Until tomorrow, this is your doctor's note.

Congressman Michael C. Burgess, M.D.