Perspective: More Help Needed for Those Helping Others

Two hundred twenty-four. That’s the number of days since the last COVID-19 relief package was signed into law.

Since that time, we have seen nearly 13 million more COVID-19 cases in the U.S., and more than 200,000 deaths. And we’re currently seeing spikes in nearly every state with hospitalizations rising rapidly.

The prospects of a vaccine starting to be distributed sometime this month gives us all hope that we soon can turn the page on this difficult chapter in our nation’s history. However, new chapters are harder to begin when important business is left unfinished.

That is why we are asking you … one more time this year … to join us in speaking up and urging Congress to support hospitals and health systems — and the millions of their front-line workers — as part of end-of-year legislation. 

The need for relief is urgent. Hospitals and health systems are once again treating a tremendous surge of COVID-19 patients, and it is putting fresh strains on caregivers and budgets that have never fully recovered from the initial COVID-19 outbreak this spring.

Funding for the federal government, as well as other key health care provisions, are set to expire Dec. 11, and we want to make sure our priorities are included in any legislative package that comes together. 

Our top priorities include:  

• more COVID-19 relief, including additional money for the Provider Relief Fund; federal liability protections; support for front-line health care workers; coverage for the uninsured; and accelerated payment forgiveness;
• eliminating cuts to the Medicaid disproportionate share hospital program and Medicare sequester;
• making additional changes to the Provider Relief Fund reporting requirements;
• and keeping harmful provisions out of legislation related to surprise medical billing and Occupational Safety and Health Administration standards.   

Our Action Center webpage provides you with additional information and resources, including fact sheets, talking points and other materials, to help you make the case with your lawmakers. You also can share this link with your family, friends and neighbors so they can amplify our message though emails, phone calls or Tweets to their legislators.

Thank you for working so hard with us this year to secure support and resources that have kept our caregivers going in the fight against COVID-19. Your lawmakers hear you and listen to you.

So, let’s square up one more time, push these critical policies over the finish line, and provide the help and resources to the front-line heroes that have given — and continue to give — so much for us.