Newhouse works to ensure rural healthcare facilities have access to Coronavirus aid

WASHINGTON, D.C. – On April 9, Rep. Dan Newhouse (R-WA) joined a bipartisan group of colleagues in sending a letter to the Department of the Treasury Secretary Mnuchin and U.S. Small Business Administration Administrator Carranza urging that rural hospitals and Rural Health Clinics (RHCs) be eligible to participate in the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) and other financial programs provided by the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act.

“Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, many of these hospitals and clinics had operating deficits; their cash flow problems have become increasingly dire as rural hospitals and RHCs have been forced to cancel elective procedures, their primary source of revenue,” wrote the lawmakers.

The letter continues, “During any time period, these rural hospitals and clinics are essential to support rural communities, but they are especially vital during this time of public health emergency. In addition to their irreplaceable role in serving the everyday health needs of our rural communities, many of these health providers are treating COVID-19 cases in their communities and working to contain further spread of the disease.”

Full text of the letter can be found here and below.

Dear Secretary Mnuchin and Administrator Carranza:

Thank you for all the work you have done to help our small businesses respond to the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) crisis in these difficult times. As you work to administer vital emergency assistance programs, we are writing to bring an urgent issue to your attention regarding the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP), and to request you ensure rural hospitals and Rural Health Clinics (RHCs) who have facilities owned or operated by counties or districts are eligible for this program, as well as other critical financial assistance programs.

H.R. 748, the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act, was signed into law with our support on March 27, 2020, enacting essential lifelines for struggling businesses. It is critical SBA ensure CARES Act programs, especially PPP, can be used to support our rural hospitals and clinics. We have heard concerns SBA is interpreting the CARES Act language in a way which would preclude rural hospitals and RHCs whose facilities are owned or operated in some way by a district or municipality which they serve from being eligible for certain assistance, despite often receiving no direct funding from these government entities.

Should Treasury and SBA interpret the language this way, it would negatively impact numerous rural hospitals and RHCs across the country. Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, many of these hospitals and clinics had operating deficits; their cash flow problems have become increasingly dire as rural hospitals and RHCs have been forced to cancel elective procedures, their primary source of revenue.

During any time period, these rural hospitals and clinics are essential to support rural communities, but they are especially vital during this time of public health emergency. In addition to their irreplaceable role in serving the everyday health needs of our rural communities, many of these health care providers are treating COVID-19 cases in their communities and working to contain further spread of the disease. In many communities these hospitals are also the largest active remaining employer in the economy.

We urge you to take immediate steps to ensure rural hospitals and RHCs are eligible for the relevant CARES Act loan programs such as PPP in order to continue their work on the frontlines of fighting the COVID-19 pandemic. We look forward to serving as collaborative partners in SBA’s and other agencies’ work to support rural health care providers as we respond to this crisis.

Background:

On March 19, Rep. Newhouse joined colleagues in sending a letter to congressional leadership requesting additional resources and support for rural hospitals to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic. The requests in this letter were largely included in the passage of the CARES Act.

On March 30, Rep. Newhouse sent a bipartisan, bicameral letter to Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Azar urging him to quickly and efficiently implement the provisions of the CARES Act designed to aid rural hospitals and healthcare providers.

Rep. Newhouse is a cosponsor of H.R. 6365, the Immediate Relief for Rural Facilities and Providers Act of 2020.