The U.S. House passed another relief package last night in response to the coronavirus pandemic called the Paycheck Protection Program and Health Care Enhancement Act (H.R. 266). Along with a focus on small-business loans, it includes $75 billion in funding for hospitals.
The bill, which passed the U.S. Senate on Tuesday, April 21, provides additional funding from the initial CARES Act, enacted on March 27, which many in labor believed did not go far enough to protect health care workers.
As in the last package, health care funds under the act are available for a broad array of purposes, including, but not limited to, building or construction of temporary structures, leasing of properties, PPE and other supplies, testing, increased workforce and trainings, emergency operation centers, retrofitting facilities, and surge capacity.
Make sure to visit usw.org/covid19 regularly for legislative and other updates.