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AdvaMed Response to HHS COVID-19 RFI
On December 18, AdvaMed provided comments on the Department of Health and Human Services’ Request for Information concerning Regulatory Relief to Support Economic Recovery. Access the full document here.
The Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act and Keeping American Workers Paid and Employed Act
On March 27, President Trump signed the CARES Act, which provides $330 billion in new funding for state and local government response; support for hospitals and health care workers; funding for personal protective equipment and other needed medical equipment; and support for local law enforcement, first responders, schools, universities, and affordable housing and homelessness assistance.
The bill includes $562 million in funding for the Small Business Administration (SBA) to provide Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDL) to businesses for working capital and payroll. The EIDL program is available to assist small businesses with fewer than 500 employees in all 50 states and territories.
The Keeping American Workers Paid and Employed Act provides $350 billion in small business loans through a new Paycheck Protection Program to cover payroll costs, health care benefits and insurance contributions for companies with 500 or fewer employees. Loans of up to $10 million would be immediately available through existing SBA-certified lenders and the Treasury is authorized to expedite approval of new lenders. The bill would expand eligibility for EIDL and provide $10 billion in emergency grants to businesses that apply for an EIDL. The bill also requires SBA to pay all principal, interest and other fees on all existing SBA loan products for six months to provide small business debt relief.
- Full Text of H.R. 748
- Section-by-Section Summary
- *AdvaMed Summary of Key Medtech or Related Provisions of S. 3548 The Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES)
- CARES Act Resources for Workers and Families (if you are looking for information to give to your employees)
- Information on small business lending programs created by COVID I and COVID III
- *March 27, 2020 | AdvaMed Webinar “What Does the $2T Stimulus Bill Mean for Medtech?” Access presentation materials
AdvaMed Staff Contact: Chris White
Defense Production Act
On March 18, 2020, President Trump signed an executive order giving broad powers to HHS Secretary Azar to direct the production and distribution of health resources under the Defense Production Act (DPA). The Defense Production Act (DPA of 1950) focuses on enlisting entities within the domestic industry to provide materials and goods for the national defense when needed.
- March 20, 2020 | Reed Smith: Summary of Selected Provisions of the Defense Production Act
- March 19, 2020 | Reed Smith: Defense Production Act – A webinar discussing the basics of the Defense Production Act and its application to the medical technology industry (Slides) (Webinar Recording)
- March 17, 2020 | Reed Smith: Executive Summary of the Defense Production Act (for the AdvaMed Medical Technology Industry)
- March 6, 2020 | Congressional Research Service Report: The Defense Production Act (DPA) and COVID-19: Key Authorities and Policy Considerations
- March 2, 2020 | Congressional Research Service Report: The Defense Production Act of 1950: History, Authorities, and Considerations for Congress
AdvaMed Staff Contact: Chris White
Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA)
- March 16, 2020 | Families First Coronavirus Response Act signed into law. The bill contains a provision to require paid sick leave and family and medical leave and includes a refundable employer credit for wages paid during this leave, as well as enhanced nutrition security initiatives, and increased federal funds for Medicaid.
AdvaMed Staff Contact: Chris White
Coronavirus Preparedness and Response Supplemental Appropriations Act
- March 6, 2020 | This bill provides $8.3 billion in emergency funding for federal agencies to respond to the coronavirus outbreak, including $1.9 billion for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) for state and local response efforts and $836 million for research at the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID). Other highlights include:
- $20 million for the Small Business Administration (SBA) disaster loans program (see additional information on SBA disaster loans below).
- $61 million to the FDA for the development and review of vaccines, therapeutics, medical devices and countermeasures, to address potential supply chain interruptions, and to support enforcement of counterfeit products.
- $500 million estimated cost for waiver of restrictions on Medicare providers allowing them to offer telehealth services to beneficiaries regardless of whether the beneficiary.
- $3.4 billion dedicated to the research and development and contingency purchase of vaccines, therapeutics (includes over $2 billion to the Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority (BARDA)).
AdvaMed Staff Contact: Chris White
COVID-19 Coverage Coalition Letter
- April 28, 2020 | This letter was sent to Congress highlighting opportunities to maintain and promote coverage options for employees and the uninsured through, for example, employer subsidies, COBRA coverage and HSA expansion. Read the full letter.
AdvaMed Staff Contact: Chris White