Thursday, April 9 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 Releases New Waivers for Health Care Facilities COVID-19 Response
- CMS issued new blanket waivers today, addressing licensure issues and adding workplace flexibilities for the health care workforce. A summary of the new waivers, along with other emergency waivers, can be found here.
Congressional Outlook
- Today, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell offered a bill to provide an additional $250 billion in funding to the CARES Act’s Paycheck Protection Program (“PPP”). In response, Democratic Senators Ben Cardin and Chris Van Hollen offered an alternative proposal that had $250 billion in PPP funding, with half of that amount directed to community-based lenders. It also included another $100 billion for hospitals and community health centers and $150 billion for state and local governments.
- Since each side objected to holding a voice vote on the other’s bill, both measures failed. The Senate is adjourned until Monday, which allows lawmakers a few days to work on a compromise.
- In the meantime, 36 senators from both parties sent a letter to HHS Secretary Alex Azar and CMS Administrator Seema Verma calling on the Administration to assure health care providers that large interest payments will not accrue on the advance payments they receive under the Advanced Payment Program.
CMS Updates FAQs for Medicare Providers
- CMS updated Frequently Asked Questions to assist Medicare providers with billing, coding and coverage guidance.
Federal Reserve Announces New Lending Program
- The Federal Reserve announced loan opportunities today, providing an additional $2.3 trillion in loans. This includes both expanded and new “Main Street” lending facilities that would provide loans to a variety of eligible borrowers, including borrowers that obtain loans through the Paycheck Protection Program administered by the Small Business Administration and larger borrowers with up to 10,000 employees or $2.5 billion in annual revenues.
FEMA Issues Temporary Rule Banning Exportation of PPE
- The Federal Emergency Management Agency issued a temporary rule to bar the exportation of some personal protective equipment, including some respirators and surgical masks and gloves.
CDC Updates Interim Guidance on Workplace Safety for Critical Infrastructure Workers
- The CDC updated guidance for critical infrastructure workers’ return to work following exposure to COVID-19.
From the FDA
- The FDA issued guidance that outlines a temporary policy to help expand the availability of portable cryogenic oxygen and nitrogen containers.
CMS Issues FAQs for PACE
- CMS released Frequently Asked Questions for Programs of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly (“PACE”) organizations.
For more information, please contact:
- John Williams III at (202) 370-9585 or jwilliams@wp.hallrender.com;
- Andrew Coats at (202) 370-9587 or acoats@wp.hallrender.com;
- Abby Kaericher at (202) 780-2989 or akaericher@wp.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.
