McConnell introduces COVID-19 response bill

Mar 20, 2020 - 03:45 PM
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Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., yesterday introduced the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (S. 3548) . The bill is the third large-scale congressional effort in response to the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak.

Bipartisan negotiations are ongoing in the Senate among leadership, various committee chairmen and the Trump administration. Democrats are working on an alternative proposal, and daily negotiations are expected to continue until a proposal is agreed upon.

Among other health care-related provisions, the package would remove the Medicare sequester from May through December 2020; create a Medicare add-on payment of 15% for inpatient hospital COVID-19 patients; take steps to improve the supply chain, including access to masks and drugs, among other items; take steps to expand coverage for COVID-19 testing and testing-related services; and provide new telehealth flexibilities.

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