Wednesday, May 13 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.
CMS Launches Toolkit on State Actions to Mitigate COVID-19 in Nursing Homes
- CMS released a toolkit on state actions to mitigate COVID-19 prevalence in nursing homes.
FEMA Updates Policy on Medical Care Cost Financial Assistance Eligibility
- FEMA updated a policy on medical care costs eligible for public assistance.
SBA Updates Paycheck Protection Program Loan FAQs
- The Small Business Administration updated Frequently Asked Questions on the Paycheck Protection Program Loan Program.
SAMHSA Announces COVID-19 Suicide Prevention Grants
- The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration announced COVID-19 emergency response grants for suicide prevention. Community-based service providers and hospital emergency departments are eligible for these grants.
CMS Issues Price Transparency FAQ for COVID-19 Diagnostic Testing
- CMS issued Frequently Asked Questions on price transparency requirements for providers to post prices for COVID-19 diagnostic testing.
From the FDA
- The FDA posted a new webpage with information on the use of thermal imaging systems.
- The FDA announced a virtual Town Hall on May 15, 2020 for researchers, clinical laboratories and commercial manufacturers to discuss the production and use of 3D printed swabs.
HRSA Awards $15 Million to Support Telehealth Providers
- The Health Resources and Services Administration awarded $15 million to 159 organizations across five health workforce programs to increase telehealth capabilities in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Congressional Outlook
- The House will return to session on Friday to vote on the HEROES Act, the $3 trillion stimulus package released by Democratic leadership that includes, among other items, $100 billion more in grants for hospital and health care providers and lowering the interest rate for loans to Medicare providers made under the Accelerated and Advance Payment Program to 1%.
- While Senate Republicans have indicated they have no intention of passing the bill in its current form, many of the provisions that have bipartisan support could become law as stand-alone bills or as part of smaller legislative packages. Those packages, which could also include Republican-backed provisions related to liability protections for employers, might pass in late May or early June.
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.
Hall Render’s attorneys and professionals continue to maintain the most up-to-date information and resources at our COVID-19 Resource page, through our 24/7 COVID‑19 Hotline at (317) 429-3900 or by contacting your regular Hall Render attorney.
Hall Render blog posts and articles are intended for informational purposes only. For ethical reasons, Hall Render attorneys cannot—outside of an attorney-client relationship—answer specific questions that would be legal advice.
