House Democrats introduce infrastructure bill with funding for hospitals

Jun 22, 2020 - 02:33 PM
aha-fah-congress

House Democratic leaders today released legislative text for the Moving Forward Act (H.R. 2), a more than $1.5 trillion plan to rebuild American infrastructure, including roads, bridges, transit, housing and health care. 

Among other health care-related provisions, the bill would invest $30 billion to upgrade hospitals to increase capacity and strengthen care; help community health centers respond to COVID-19 and future public health emergencies; improve clinical laboratory infrastructure; support the Indian Health Service‘s infrastructure; and increase capacity for community-based care.

Specifically, the bill would provide $10 billion in total funding for fiscal years 2021 through 2025 for the construction and modernization of hospitals and medical facilities. It prioritizes awards for projects that include modernization for public health preparedness or protecting against cybersecurity threats.

The bill also includes two AHA-supported provisions that would restore the ability for governments, hospitals and others to advance refund tax-exempt municipal bonds, as well as revise the definition of qualified small issuers by increasing the bank-qualified borrowing limit from $10 million limit to $30 million.

Related News Articles

Headline
CDC report finds COVID-19 vaccine for children reduced chances of ED, urgent care visits
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Dec. 11 released a report that found last year’s version of the COVID-19 vaccine was 76% effective in preventing…
Headline
AHA responds to FDA request for information on AI-enabled medical devices
The AHA provided recommendations to the Food and Drug Administration Dec. 1 in response to a request for information on the measurement and evaluation of…
Headline
Permanent recall issued for Baxter ventilation system
The Food and Drug Administration has identified a Class I recall of Baxter Life2000 Ventilation Systems due to a cybersecurity issue discovered through…
Headline
CDC data shows rise in flu, COVID-19 cases across states 
Flu cases are growing or likely growing in 39 states, according to the latest Centers for Disease Control and Prevention data from Nov. 11. COVID-19…
Headline
Recall issued for mislabeled potassium chloride
The Food and Drug Administration yesterday published an announcement from Otsuka ICU Medical saying that the company issued a voluntary recall for a mislabeled…
Headline
Study finds flu, COVID-19 infection temporarily raises risk of heart attack, stroke 
A study published Oct. 30 by the American Heart Association found that people have an elevated risk of heart attack and stroke following flu and COVID-19…