Press Releases
Wenstrup Works to Ensure Rural Health Care Facilities Have Access to Coronavirus Financial Aid
Washington,
April 9, 2020
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Chris Krepich
(202-225-3164)
WASHINGTON, D.C.— Today, Congressman Brad Wenstrup, D.P.M. (OH-02) joined a group of colleagues in sending a letter to Department of the Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin and U.S. Small Business Administration Administrator Jovita 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. “Rural hospitals and clinics are essential to supporting the health and well-being of those in rural communities, and their continued operation is needed now more than ever during this pandemic. Often, these hospitals and clinics experienced some level of operational challenges prior to this coronavirus, and we cannot afford to add additional strain. We must ensure they have access to the financial support outlined in the CARES Act, especially the Paycheck Protection Program,” said Congressman Wenstrup. Background: Some rural hospitals and Rural Health Clinics (RHCs) are owned and operated by counties or districts. It is purported that the Small Business Administration might interpret the language in the CARES Act to exclude them from access to small business relief programs, including the Paycheck Protection Program, which provides loans to business for the purpose of keeping employees on the payroll and paying rent.
April 9, 2020 The Honorable Steven Mnuchin The Honorable Jovita Carranza 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. Sincerely, Rep. Adrian Smith Rep. Jodey Arrington Rep. Jackie Walorski Rep. Mike Kelly Rep. A. Drew Ferguson, IV Rep. Terri A. Sewell Rep. Liz Cheney Rep. Cindy Axne Rep. Rick W. Allen Rep. Ralph Norman Rep. Andy Harris, M.D. Rep. Troy Balderson Rep. Gregory F Murphy, M.D. Rep. Mike Bost Rep. Doug Lamborn Rep. Adam Kinzinger Rep. Ralph Abraham, M.D. Rep. David P. Roe, M.D. Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers Rep. Vicky Hartzler Rep. Kevin Hern Rep. David B. McKinley P.E. Rep. Jim Banks Rep. Paul Cook Rep. Steve King Rep. Hal Rogers Rep. Jeff Fortenberry Rep. H. Morgan Griffith Rep. Robert E. Latta Rep. Carol D. Miller Rep. Jason Smith Rep. Tom Rice Rep. Ron Estes Rep. Tom O'Halleran Rep. Juan Vargas Rep. Bob Gibbs Rep. Glenn Grothman Rep. Dan Newhouse Rep. Mark E. Green, M.D. Rep. Brian Babin Rep. Thomas Massie Rep. Don Young Rep. Michael Guest Rep. Roger Marshall, M.D. Rep. Sam Graves Rep. Neal P. Dunn, M.D. Rep. Bruce Westerman Rep. Greg Gianforte Rep. Scott Tipton Rep. Pete Stauber Rep. Doug LaMalfa Rep. Bill Johnson Rep. Steve Stivers Rep. Jim Hagedorn Rep. Bill Flores Rep. Louie Gohmert Rep. John Shimkus Rep. Tom Emmer Rep. Darin LaHood Rep. George Holding Rep. Chris Stewart Rep. James Comer Rep. Roger Williams Rep. Kelly Armstrong Rep. K. Michael Conaway Rep. Rodney Davis Rep. Michael Cloud Rep. Steve Watkins Rep. Tim Walberg Rep. Ben Cline Rep. Frank D. Lucas Rep. Paul A. Gosar, D.D.S. Rep. Robert B. Aderholt Rep. Jody Hice Rep. Jack Bergman Rep. Billy Long Rep. Matt Gaetz Rep. Blaine Luetkemeyer Rep. Tom Cole Rep. Warren Davidson Rep. Will Hurd Rep. Trent Kelly Rep. Brett Guthrie Rep. Earl L. "Buddy" Carter Rep. Ted S. Yoho, D.V.M. |