America’s physicians need immediate access to the $100 billion in federal funds provided to them under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act to remain operational, U.S. Rep. Brad Wenstrup (R-OH) said.
“Doctors across the country are doing their part by limiting their elective procedures and conserving PPE [personal protective equipment] for emergency personnel. However, they need assistance to get through this temporary — but damaging — disruption in income,” Rep. Wenstrup said. “Allowing them access to these funds will help make sure they are able to reopen their doors and continue providing care to patients after COVID-19 is contained.”
The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) released March 18 recommendations asking that all elective non-essential medical, surgical and dental procedures be delayed during the pandemic to help preserve PPE, wrote Rep. Wenstrup and 14 of his congressional colleagues in an April 7 letter sent to Alex Azar, Secretary of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
“By suspending services that comprise a majority of a physician offices’ income, many of these practices are now facing financial distress that may lead to office closures nationwide,” Rep. Wenstrup and his colleagues wrote. “With a drastic decrease in patient volume, these practices are struggling to keep their employees on payroll.”
“If they do not receive assistance on this issue that has only emerged due to their protective action to stop seeing patients, then we will further exacerbate this crisis by driving more patients to the emergency room,” the members wrote.
The congressmen urged Secretary Azar to release as soon as possible the $100 billion provided by the CARES Act’s Public Health and Social Services Emergency Fund to reimburse eligible healthcare providers for related expenses or lost revenues that are attributable to the coronavirus.
“Providing physician access to the Public Health and Social Services Emergency Fund is aligned with the intent of the CARES Act, keeping our healthcare workforce employed through the crisis while allowing emergency departments and hospital beds for those that truly need them,” the congressmen wrote.
Among the members joining Rep. Wenstrup in signing the letter were U.S. Reps. Michael Burgess (R-TX), Buddy Carter (R-GA), Larry Bucshon (R-IN), Billy Long (R-MO), and Troy Balderson (R-OH).