Monday, March 23 Recap
Note – We believe this is the most up-to-date information available at this time, but it is subject to change as circumstances warrant. Also, all finalized resources can be found on the COVID-19 Resource Center page of Hall Render’s website.
Congressional Outlook
- A second procedural vote to end debate and move to a final vote on the economic stimulus bill that includes billions of dollars to help hospitals fighting the coronavirus failed in the Senate today after Republicans were unable to muster the 60 votes needed for passage. A task that has been made more difficult now that five Republican members of the Senate are in self-quarantine.
- The tenor of debate on the Senate floor digressed to lows not seen in decades as senators from both parties resorted to yelling at their colleagues as both sides accused the other of trying to include provisions completely unrelated to fighting the epidemic.
- In the meantime, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) is preparing to introduce a $2.5 trillion alternative as a backup should negotiations in the Senate fail. Although details are limited, Hall Render has learned the bill proposes to increase hospital funding to $100 billion compared to the $75 billion in the Senate bill. It would also expand the paid family leave requirements in the bill signed into law last week to all employers, not just those with 500 or fewer workers.
OIG Releases Fraud Alert
- The HHS Office of Inspector General released an alert on fraud schemes related to COVID-19.
Newly Released Resources
- CMS released findings at Kirkland Nursing Home and new targeted plan for health care facility inspections responding to COVID-19. Also, CMS released the “Kirkland Washington Update and Survey Prioritization Fact Sheet.”
- CMS Administrator Seema Verma issued remarks on this update.
- On 3/23/20, CMS updated Frequently Asked Questions to Assist Medicare Providers and the Fact Sheet for Medicare Coverage and Payment Related to COVID-19.
For more information, please contact:
- John Williams III at (202) 370-9585 or jwilliams@hallrender.com;
- Andrew Coats at (202) 370-9587 or acoats@hallrender.com;
- Abby Kaericher at (202) 780-2989 or akaericher@hallrender.com; or
- Your regular Hall Render attorney.
To access Hall Render’s COVID-19 resource page and hotline, click here.
