President Trump Has Taken Action To Support Hospitals Fighting The Coronavirus

 

Thanks To The Trump Administration, More Than 300,000 Health Providers Across 50 States Have Received $30 Billion In Relief To Support Their Coronavirus Response

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THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION HAS BEGUN DISTRIBUTING $100 BILLION TO HOSPITALS THROUGH THE PROVIDER RELIEF FUND WITH $30 BILLION ALREADY DISTRIBUTED IN JUST TWO WEEKS

As part of the CARES Act, President Trump provided $100 billion in relief funds to hospitals and other health care providers on the front lines of the coronavirus response.

The Kaiser Family Foundation : "The coronavirus is straining many hospitals and this $100 billion fund could provide crucial and timely support."

Experts stressed the need to distribute funds quickly as hospitals are losing 40% to 50% of their revenue while shouldering unprecedented costs fighting the coronavirus outbreak.

Erin O'Malley, Senior Policy Director for America's Essential Hospitals which represents non-profit health systems, stressed the need for an immediate infusion of funds saying many hospitals would run out of money in a matter of weeks .

Recognizing hospitals' urgent need for relief, the Trump Administration began distributing an initial $30 billion just two weeks after the program was approved.

Hospitals received funding based on their share of 2019 Medicare payments which " allowed some money to go out swiftly ."

THANKS TO THE ADMINISTRATION'S DECISIVE ACTION, HOSPITALS ALL OVER THE COUNTRY ARE BENEFITING FROM THE PROVIDER RELIEF FUND

By using the formula based on Medicare services, the Trump Administration was able to " disburse an initial batch of funding quickly ."

Seema Verma, Administrator of the Federal Centers for Medicare And Medicaid Services, explained that the first priority was to get money out quickly , "using Medicare was the fastest. We had that data."

More than 300,000 health care providers across all 50 states received the initial $30 billion in emergency funding.

In Michigan , more than 11,000 providers received nearly $1 billion.

In Pennsylvania , more than 12,500 providers received nearly $1.3 billion.

In North Carolina , nearly 7,000 providers received more than $900 million.

In Ohio , more than 10,000 providers received nearly $1 billion.

AS THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION GEARS UP FOR A SECOND WAVE OF HOSPITAL RELIEF, THEY ARE FOCUSED ON GETTING HELP WHERE IT IS NEEDED MOST

Officials say that the remaining funds will be targeted based on need and toward hospitals in cities that have seen large numbers of coronavirus patients.

Additionally, Health and Human Services is gearing up for a second $30 billion wave of relief.

The funding will go out in two batches with the first wave giving $10 billion to hospitals with the most coronavirus cases .

Additionally, $20 billion will go to hospitals based on their total revenue in order to reach providers excluded initially because they receive a relatively small portion of Medicare payments.

Congress will vote on a deal this week approving an additional $75 billion in emergency funding.

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THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION HAS BEGUN DISTRIBUTING $100 BILLION TO HOSPITALS THROUGH THE PROVIDER RELIEF FUND

As Part Of The CARES Act, The Trump Administration Established The Provider Relief Fund To Deliver Relief To Hospitals And Other Health Care Providers

As Part Of The CARES Act, President Trump Is Providing $100 Billion In Relief Funds To Hospitals And Other Healthcare Providers On The Front Lines Of The Coronavirus Response To Support Healthcare-Related Expenses Or Lost Revenue Attributable To The Outbreak. "President Trump is providing support to healthcare providers fighting the COVID-19 pandemic On March 27, 2020, the President signed the bipartisan CARES Act that provides $100 billion in relief funds to hospitals and other healthcare providers on the front lines of the coronavirus response. This funding will be used to support healthcare-related expenses or lost revenue attributable to COVID-19 and to ensure uninsured Americans can get testing and treatment for COVID-19." ( Health And Human Services , Accessed 4/20/20)

The Funding Provides More Than $100,000 Per U.S. Hospital Bed To Hospitals And Other Health Care Entities Responding To The Coronavirus Pandemic . "The $2 trillion Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act contains a vast array of spending provisions, including an additional $100 billion for the Public Health and Social Services Emergency Fund. This new funding is designed to provide an influx of money to hospitals and other health care entities responding to the coronavirus pandemic. This $100 billion averages out to about $108,000 per hospital bed in the United States." ( Kaiser Family Foundation , 3/31/20)

The Kaiser Family Foundation: "The Coronavirus Is Straining Many Hospitals And This $100 Billion Fund Could Provide Crucial And Timely Support." "The coronavirus is straining many hospitals and this $100 billion fund could provide crucial and timely support. Unlike other federal hospital funding-such as disproportionate share payments by Medicare and Medicaid that compensate hospitals serving a large share of low-income or uninsured patients-there are no formulas, eligibility criteria or geographic distribution requirements dictating how to allocate this money. With the stakes high and the amount of funding available large, the hospital industry will be very focused on how this money is distributed. Less clear is how much the public will know." ( Kaiser Family Foundation , 3/31/20)

Rick Pollack, President And CEO Of The American Hospital Association: Hospital Funding In The CARES Act Was "An Important First Step." "'As we have said, the CARES Act was an important first step,' said Rick Pollack, president and CEO of the American Hospital Association, adding that he supports 'additional efforts by the Congress to make sure providers on the front line - hospitals, physicians and nurses--remain prioritized for federal assistance.'" ( CNBC , 4/10/20)

Experts Stressed The Need To Distribute Funds To Struggling Hospitals As Quickly As Possible

Because Of The Coronavirus Outbreak Hospitals Are Facing Steep Decline In Revenue From A Drop In Elective Medical Procedures, Compounded By A Sharp Increase In Expenses. "The hospitals are facing the same challenges: a steep decline in revenue from a drop in elective medical procedures, compounded by a sharp increase in expenses as they protect their personnel and prepare for a surge of coronavirus patients." ( McClatchy DC , 4/1/20)

• Hospitals Are Now Losing 40% To 50% Of Their Revenue While Shouldering Unprecedented Costs Preparing For Waves Of Coronavirus Cases. "Hospitals are now losing 40% to 50% of their revenue while shouldering unprecedented costs preparing for waves of COVID-19 patients that are expected to hit different parts of the country at different times." ( McClatchy DC , 4/1/20)

Many Hospitals Were Forced To Lay Off And Furlough Employees As They Waited For Relief . "Hospitals under financial strain from the coronavirus pandemic are laying off and furloughing employees as they await guidance from Washington on how to access billions of dollars in a federal relief fund." ( McClatchy DC , 4/1/20)

Experts Warned That Hospitals Struggling Financially May Not Survive Long Enough To Secure Federal Aid. "Experts, too, are concerned that hospitals already struggling financially may not survive long enough to secure federal aid. The relief package 'didn't lay out a game plan for the actual distribution of the money,' Chip Kahn, president and chief executive officer of the Federation of American Hospitals, told McClatchy. 'Many hospitals in the middle of the country that maybe haven't seen COVID yet can't wait.'" ( McClatchy DC , 4/1/20)

Erin O'Malley, Senior Policy Director For America's Essential Hospitals Which Represents Non-Profit Health Systems Serving Lower-Income Patients, Stressed The Need For An Immediate Infusion Of Funds Saying Many Of Their Members Have Less Than A Few Weeks Of Cash On Hand. "'We need the money fast,' said Erin O'Malley, senior policy director for America's Essential Hospitals which represents non-profit health systems which cater to lower-income patients. 'Several of our members just a few weeks ago had less than a few weeks of cash on hand and since March 27th we continue to hear that.'" ( CNBC , 4/10/20)

In Order To Get Assistance To Struggling Hospitals As Fast As Possible, HHS Distributed An Initial Wave Of $30 Billion Based On Existing Medicare Data

Recognizing The Importance Of Delivering Funds In A Fast And Transparent Manner, HHS Immediately Distributed $30 Billion Of The Funds To Hospitals Across The Country. "Immediate infusion of $30 billion into healthcare system Recognizing the importance of delivering funds in a fast and transparent manner, $30 billion is being distributed immediately - with payments arriving via direct deposit beginning April 10, 2020 - to eligible providers throughout the American healthcare system. These are payments, not loans, to healthcare providers, and will not need to be repaid." ( Health And Human Services , Accessed 4/20/20)

• Hospitals Received Payments Based On Their Share Of The Total Fee For Service Payments They Received From Medicare In 2019. "How are payment distributions determined Providers will be distributed a portion of the initial $30 billion based on their share of total Medicare FFS reimbursements in 2019. Total FFS payments were approximately $484 billion in 2019." ( Health And Human Services , Accessed 4/20/20)

HHS Partnered With UnitedHealth Group To Deliver The Initial $30 Billion Distribution;By Using Medicare Data, The Administration Was Able To Pay Providers Through The Automated Clearing House Account Information On File With United Health, Optum Bank, Or CMS. "HHS is partnering with UnitedHealth Group (UHG) to deliver the initial $30 billion distribution to providers as quickly as possible. Providers will be paid via Automated Clearing House account information on file with UHG, UnitedHealthcare, or Optum Bank, or used for reimbursements from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). Providers who normally receive a paper check for reimbursement from CMS will receive a paper check in the mail for this payment as well, within the next few weeks." ( Health And Human Services , 4/10/20)

Hospital Industry Representatives Say That Using Medicare Data For The First Wave Of Relief Was A "Simple Method That Allowed Some Money To Go Out Swiftly." "While hospital industry representatives say that was a simple method that allowed some money to go out swiftly, they have pointed out that it disadvantaged hospitals in parts of the country, such as California and portions of Florida, where Medicare Advantage - the private managed-care section of the program - is particularly popular. A significant problem, some hospital executives say, was that this method didn't distribute the money based on need. In addition, hospitals that treat more uninsured patients or those on Medicaid, as well as hospitals that don't treat many Medicare patients at all - such as children's hospitals - would get less money." ( The Washington Post , 4/16/20)

THANKS TO THE ADMINISTRATION'S DECISIVE ACTION, HOSPITALS ALL OVER THE COUNTRY ARE BENEFITING FROM THE PROVIDER RELIEF FUND

By Using Medicare Data For The Initial Wave Of Payments, The Trump Administration Was Able Distribute Funds To Hospitals Just Two Weeks After It Was Approved

The Trump Administration Started Sending Out Initial Payments To Hospitals And Physicians On April 10^th, Just 2 Weeks After The Funding Was Approved . "The Trump administration started sending out initial payments to hospitals and physicians Friday, marking the first tranche of $100 billion in relief funding for health systems and providers passed by Congress as part of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security act." ( CNBC , 4/10/20)

By Using The Formula Based On Medicare Services, The Trump Administration Was Able To "Disburse An Initial Batch Of Funding Quickly." "Some $30 billion of the money has been distributed thus far, under a formula that sent it to hospitals based on the services they provided last year to Medicare patients. The administration hoped that approach would let them disburse an initial batch of funding quickly, but it also meant the money didn't necessarily go to hospitals treating large numbers of patients suffering from covid-19, the disease the virus causes." ( The Washington Post , 4/16/20)

Seema Verma, Administrator Of The Federal Centers For Medicare And Medicaid Services, Explained That The First Priority Was To Get Money Out Quickly, "Using Medicare Was The Fastest. We Had That Data." "'The first priority is, we want to get this money out fast,' Seema Verma, administrator of the federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, said in a conference call with reporters Wednesday. 'Using Medicare was the fastest. We had that data.' As for what will be next, Verma said administration officials will 'be providing more specificity at the end of this week' for how a second batch from the $100 billion will be allotted. She said that 'the second round of funding will address all providers, as well as address hot spots.'" ( The Washington Post , 4/16/20)

Thanks To The Administration's Decisive Action More Than 300,000 Health Care Providers Across All 50 States Received $30 Billion In Emergency Funding

In The U.S., 318,168 Providers Received $30 Billion. ( House Ways And Means Committee , Accessed 4/20/20)

In Maine, 1,681 Providers Received $145,763,812. ( House Ways And Means Committee , Accessed 4/20/20)

In Michigan, 11,383 Providers Received $936,700,139. ( House Ways And Means Committee , Accessed 4/20/20)

In Colorado, 4,696 Providers Received $360,905,482. ( House Ways And Means Committee , Accessed 4/20/20)

In Florida, 21,808 Providers Received $2,220,563,137. ( House Ways And Means Committee , Accessed 4/20/20)

In Georgia, 8,222 Providers Received $792,069,160. ( House Ways And Means Committee , Accessed 4/20/20)

In North Carolina, 6,905 Providers Received $919,171,087. ( House Ways And Means Committee , Accessed 4/20/20)

In Pennsylvania, 12,661 Providers Received $1,246,250,076. ( House Ways And Means Committee , Accessed 4/20/20)

In Ohio, 10,166 Providers Received $989,773,417. ( House Ways And Means Committee , Accessed 4/20/20)

AS THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION GEARS UP FOR A SECOND WAVE OF HOSPITAL RELIEF, THEY ARE FOCUSED ON GETTING HELP WHERE IT'S NEEDED MOST

The Second Round Of Funding Will Be Focused On Providers Who Received Less Funding Initially Because They Don't Treat Medicare Patients And Hospitals With A Large Number Of Coronavirus Cases

HHS Officials Say The Second Round Of Funding Will Be Targeted Based On Need And Toward Hospitals In Cities That Have Seen Large Numbers Of Covid-19 Patients . "Now, as the Department of Health and Human Services prepares to distribute more of the remaining funds, officials say it will be targeted based on need and toward hospitals in cities that have seen large numbers of covid-19 patients, such as New York and Detroit. But lawmakers and aides say they are in the dark about how much money will be in the next disbursement and who will get it. Answers from Trump administration officials have been confusing and at times misleading, they say." ( The Washington Post , 4/16/20)

• Administration Officials Said The Second Wave Of Funding Will Be Disbursed In Two Batches, $20 Billion Will Go To Hospitals Based On Their Total Revenue To Reach Providers That Don't Treat Medicare Patients, And An Additional $10 Billion Will Go To Hospitals With The Most Coronavirus Cases. "Administration officials said the second batch will also be approximately $30 billion, given out in two pieces, according to the participant. The larger amount, $20 billion, will be allocated based on each hospital and health-care provider's proportion of total revenue, according to Internal Revenue Service data, said the participant, who spoke on the condition of anonymity about information that is not public. By basing payments on total revenue - including money from private insurers, Medicaid and other sources - this $20 billion will reach hospitals that do not take many - or any - patients on Medicare. White House officials said at the meeting that the remaining approximately $10 billion in the second batch will be devoted to hospitals with especially large numbers of covid-19 patients, according to the participant." ( The Washington Post , 4/16/20)

Congress Will Vote On A Deal This Week To Approve An Additional $75 Billion In Emergency Funding

Lawmakers Have Reached A Deal That Includes An Additional $75 Billion In Emergency Funding For Hospitals And Roughly $25 Billion For Testing. "The legislation has been viewed by many in Congress as a stopgap measure to replenish a popular program, and send more help to those treating patients of the pandemic, as lawmakers assess broader fiscal needs. The latest agreement also includes $60 billion for small-business disaster loans and grants, $75 billion in emergency funding for hospitals and roughly $25 billion for testing, according to a summary obtained by NPR." ( NPR , 4/21/20)

Congress Is Scheduled To Vote On The Additional Funding This Week. "The bipartisan deal came together after weeks of bickering between Democrats and Republicans over how big the package should be. Republicans wanted to keep the legislation tightly focused on a cash infusion for the Paycheck Protection Program - the small business loans that could be forgiven if the majority of the funds are spent on maintaining payroll. The program was part of the massive $2 trillion plus CARES Act enacted at the end of last month. The Senate is expected to pass the legislation by unanimous consent on Tuesday. House leaders were planning a vote on Thursday; leaders have promised to give members 24 hours advanced warning before a vote." ( NPR , 4/21/20)

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