The House begins its month-long legislative sprint this week, with the goal of passing all 12 fiscal year 2021 spending bills in the House before the five-week August recess. The Senate begins a two-week recess with negotiations on the next coronavirus relief package not expected to begin until the Senate returns the week of July 20. President Trump may also... Read More
WHG - Updated (7/3/20): Catalogue of Health Agency Guidance and Government Response to COVID-19
In response to the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, U.S. government agencies have continued the rapid release of fact sheets and guidance documents on a near daily basis. To help navigate the outpouring of information, this newly updated catalogue is intended to encapsulate and organize the relevant guidance for health care providers, insurers, state governments, public health agencies, and other stakeholders,... Read More
WHG - Weekly, June 29-July 4
Democrats are seeking to draw a stark contrast with Republicans on health care, following the Trump administration’s call (in a brief to the Supreme Court) that the Affordable Care Act (ACA) in its entirety “must fall.” Today, the House is expected to pass the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Enhancement Act (H.R. 1425) – a bill to bolster health care... Read More
WHG - Weekly, June 22-26
The House and Senate will convene hearings on the COVID-19 pandemic as negotiations on the next coronavirus relief package are still not likely to begin until after the 4th of July holiday followed by a vote before the August recess. In addition, House Democrats are expected to introduce legislation to strengthen the Affordable Care Act (ACA) the week of July... Read More
WHG - Aligned Support on Legislative & Regulatory Changes to Extend COVID-19 Telehealth Flexibilities
The COVID-19 public health emergency has required a swift and monumental response across several federal agencies and Congress. Through a combination of emergency powers, federal agencies have collectively issued over 600 temporary flexibilities and regulatory changes intended to bolster the U.S. response to the pandemic. With respect to the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), many of the deregulatory... Read More
WHG - Weekly, June 15-19
This week, the House and Senate convene hearings on COVID-19, focused on racial and ethnic disparities, telehealth, public education, and the Paycheck Protection Program. Tomorrow, President Trump is expected to issue an executive order, outlining an array of initiatives focused on police reform. They include creating national standards for use-of-force and tracking police misconduct. Under pressure to address police brutality,... Read More
WHG - Weekly, June 8-12
Today, House and Senate Democrats unveiled the Justice in Policing Act of 2020, following nearly two weeks of protests sparked by the murder of George Floyd. The comprehensive package that would make structural changes to the way police officers do their jobs. Holding police officers accountable, establishing a national database to increase transparency about police misconduct, and requiring training on... Read More
WHG - Weekly, June 1-5
Congress remains at an impasse on the next coronavirus relief package, as Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) said a decision on whether to proceed on the “fourth and final bill” will likely be made “in about a month.” He added that Senate Republicans would take the lead on the bill, which would be “narrowly crafted,” pouring cold water on House... Read More
WHG - Chart: Key Federal COVID-19 Stimulus Funding Opportunities for Health Care Providers and Hospitals
The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has continued to distribute funding, release information, and share data about the allocation of coronavirus relief payments to providers and facilities. Here are the key updates since we last shared our Federal COVID-19 Funding Opportunities for Providers & Hospitals tracking chart in late May: Funding: On June 9, HHS announced a $25 billion targeted... Read More
WHG - Weekly, May 18-22
Senate Republicans have no immediate plans to consider the HEROES Act (H.R. 6800) – the $3 trillion coronavirus relief package passed by House Democrats last Friday (May 15) – or present a counter offer to begin negotiations. Instead, the Senate will consider a slew of judicial nominees before adjourning for the Memorial Day recess. In the meantime, Democrats will continue... Read More
WHG - Chart: Compilation of Federal Telehealth Flexibilities
In light of the many changes to telehealth that have occurred since the beginning of the COVID-19 public health emergency, we have compiled the key telehealth changes and flexibilities at the federal level into one chart. The chart incorporates legislative changes, waivers, certain insurer flexibilities, and the Centers for Medicaid and Medicaid Services’ (CMS’) interim final rules with commend periods... Read More
WHG - Weekly, May 11-15
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) is expected to unveil a draft $1.2 trillion coronavirus relief package ahead of a floor vote that could be as soon as this Friday. Speaker Pelosi also indicated that she wants to move soon on a resolution to allow remote voting by proxy in the House. While the package is likely to be viewed as... Read More
WHG - Weekly, May 4-8
The Senate reconvenes in Washington this week to confirm executive and judicial nominees, while the House remains on recess with plans to return in two weeks. In the meantime, the House Energy and Commerce (E&C) Committee, as well as others, are preparing to hold virtual bipartisan “Committee Forums” in place of traditional in-person hearings to conduct oversight of the federal... Read More
WHG - Weekly, April 27-May 1
Democratic leaders are beginning to float proposals for a fifth COVID-19 relief package that could rival the $2 trillion CARES Act (Pub. L. 116-136). However, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) indicated another package would likely not be considered until members return to Washington next week at the earliest. Leader McConnell has also expressed serious concerns over the national debt... Read More
WHG - Chart: Key Federal COVID-19 Economic Relief Opportunities for Employers
WHG provides an overview of key economic relief opportunities that were made available through the following bills signed into law, thus far. Phase 3 Bill – CARES Act (H.R. 748) Phase 3.5 Bill – Paycheck Protection Program and Health Care Enhancement Act (H.R. 266) Overall, the chart encapsulates economic relief to employers, including those in the health care sector, in... Read More
WHG - Chart: Key Federal COVID-19 Economic Relief Opportunities for State and Local Governments
WHG provides an overview of key stimulus funding opportunities for state and local governments that were made available through the series of COVID-19 response bills signed into law, thus far. Phase 1 Bill – Coronavirus Preparedness and Response Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2020 (R. 6074) Phase 2 Bill – Families First Coronavirus Response Act (R. 6201) Phase 3 Bill – Coronavirus... Read More
WHG - Weekly, April 20-24
Congressional leaders and the Trump administration are closing in on an approximately $470 billion interim package to provide additional COVID-19 relief to small businesses, health care providers, and hospitals. Congress is likely to vote on a package this week. House Republicans have indicated they will demand a recorded vote, requiring a majority of the chamber to return to Capitol Hill... Read More
WHG - Weekly, April 13-17
Congress remains at a stalemate over approving additional COVID-19 aid after Senate Democrats and Republicans blocked each other proposals last Thursday. However, pressure is mounting for Congress to act, as funding for Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loans for small businesses dwindles and the unemployment rate climbs. According to Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin, $90 billion in PPP loan applications have been... Read More
WHG - Weekly, April 6-10
While initially speeding out of the gate with a large “Phase 4” recovery bill focused on infrastructure and other Democratic priorities, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) released a Dear Colleague over the weekend acknowledging that a bipartisan effort is needed to create a “CARES 2” package that will build off the last emergency relief measure – CARES Act (H.R. 748)... Read More
WHG - Lookback: Key COVID-19 Updates March 9-13
During March 9-13, 2020, there were several updates about the coronavirus from all levels of government. In addition to the discussion lawmakers are having with public health experts at hearings and the primetime briefing by President Trump, departments throughout the administration have released fact sheets and guidance documents on a near daily basis. Attached is a brief recap of the... Read More
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