AHA comments on provisions in House Democrats’ COVID-19 relief bill

The AHA today provided comments on a number of provisions affecting hospitals and health systems that were included in the Health and Economic Recovery Omnibus Emergency Solutions (HEROES) Act — a $3 trillion COVID-19 relief package that was unveiled Tuesday by House Democratic leaders.
 
Among other areas that AHA commented on were provisions related to: funding available to providers through the Public Health and Social Services Emergency Fund and establishing a new distribution methodology; modifying the terms of the accelerated and advanced payments available through the Medicare program; changes to Medicaid and health care coverage; public health provisions and COVID-19 testing; occupational safety standards; liability protection for health care; and the Paycheck Protection Program. 

View the letter to see the detailed comments on these and other provisions in the bill.
 
AHA members May 12 received a Special Bulletin with highlights of provisions included in the bill that are important to hospitals and health systems. The House is expected to vote on the bill tomorrow. The Senate is not expected to take up the bill in its current form.