Thursday, April 16 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.
Trump Administration Issues Guidelines for “Opening Up America Again”
- President Trump issued guidelines for states to lift stay-at-home orders and relax social distancing practices during his daily news conference.
Congressional Outlook
- As funds for the Paycheck Protection Program (“PPP”) ran out today, negotiations over an interim emergency spending bill stalled as congressional leaders remain at an impasse over what should be included in the measure. Republicans continue to advocate for a “clean” bill that only provides more money for the PPP while Democrats also want additional funding for hospitals and state and local governments. Monday remains the earliest day the Senate could act to pass any legislation.
CMS Releases Guidance on CARES Act Provisions
- CMS released guidance implementing provisions of the CARES Act, including a Medicare add-on payment of 20% for both rural and urban hospitals; a waiver of the long-term care hospital site-neutral policy; a waiver of the LTCH “50% Rule”; and a waiver of the inpatient rehabilitation facility “3-hour Rule.”
From the FDA
- The FDA issued guidance setting forth a temporary policy for outsourcing facilities to compound certain drugs for hospitalized patients during the COVID-19 public health emergency.
- The FDA launched a new webpage to offer guidance for recovered COVID-19 patients to local blood or plasma collection centers to discuss their eligibility and potentially schedule an appointment to donate. The webpage also includes information for those interested in participating in the expanded access protocol, conducting clinical trials or submitting single patient emergency investigational new drug applications.
- The FDA issued guidance to help expand the availability of telethermographic systems used for body temperature measurements for triage use during the COVID-19 crisis.
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.
