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Coronavirus - What's Being Done

AMERICAN RESCUE PLAN (Updated, March 22, 2021)

Direct Economic Relief: $758.3 billion

  • $410.6 billion for Economic Impact Payments. The ARP fulfills the Democrats’ commitment to provide a full $2,000 Economic Impact Payment for taxpayers who have been hard hit economically by the pandemic. This package includes a $1,400 payment to supplement the $600 already provided in December. With the economy on weakened footing, another round of rebates is critical to sustaining household spending for the beginning of 2021.
  • $205.8 billion for Unemployment Insurance. Specifically, the ARP extends the critical financial lifeline of enhanced unemployment insurance for the 18 million Americans that are currently relying on these benefits until September 6, 2021. This includes an extension of the federal unemployment insurance bump that is added to all unemployment benefits (Federal Pandemic Unemployment Compensation, or FPUC), at the current law amount of $300. It also includes extensions of the Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA) program, which expands eligibility for the self-employed, gig workers, freelancers and others in non-traditional employment who do not qualify for regular unemployment insurance, as well as the Pandemic Emergency Unemployment Compensation (PEUC) program, which makes additional weeks of benefits available to workers who exhaust their state benefits.
  • $141.9 billion for refundable tax credits including the Child Tax Credit (CTC) and the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC). The ARP significantly expands these two tax credits which are two of the most powerful and effective anti-poverty tools the U.S. government has. It nearly triples the maximum EITC for childless workers, providing additional relief to more than 17 million of these individuals – most importantly, getting economic help to those working in essential but low-paid jobs on the frontlines of the pandemic. To put more money into the pockets of working families, it will increase the amount of the CTC, from $2,000 to $3,000 (with a more generous $3,600 credit for children under the age of 6). The CTC will also be fully refundable, ensuring this vital resource is available to the lowest-income households. It is estimated that these changes will lift nearly 10 million children across the U.S. above or closer to the poverty line.

Support for States and Localities: $363 billion

  • The ARP provides $350 billion to States, territories, Tribes, and local governments to be used for responding to the COVID-19 public health emergency, to offset revenue losses, bolster economic recovery and to provide premium pay for essential workers.
  • The ARP provides a new $10 billion Critical Infrastructure Projects program to help States, territories, and Tribal governments carry out critical capital projects directly enabling work, education, and health monitoring, including remote options, in response to COVID-19.
  • $3 billion for the Economic Development Agency to provide flexible investments for rebuilding local economics and hard-hit industries, including tourism and travel. 

Vaccines, Testing, Community Health Centers, and Health Workforce Support: $92.04 billion

  • More than $47 billion for testing to contain the virus and mitigate its effects.
  • $20 billion for vaccines to ensure they reach every community as quickly as possible, especially communities of color and hard to reach areas.
  • $7.66 billion to support public health workers in communities across the country who have seen dramatic losses to their workforce. 
  • $7.6 billion to support community health centers and to address health disparities.
  • $5.9 billion for the Indian Health Service
  • $3.88 billion to expand mental health and substance use treatment.

Schools: $163.25 billion

  • $125.8 billion for public K-12 schools to safely reopen schools for in-person learning, address learning loss, assist students experiencing homelessness, meet the needs of students with disabilities, and support students as they work to recover from the long-term impacts of the pandemic.
  • $39.6 billion to colleges and universities and their students. Half of the funds will be awarded to students in the form of financial aid grants to help them address hardships they have experienced as a result of the pandemic. 
  • $850 million for outlying areas.

Transportation: $57.7 billion

  • $30 billion for transit agencies to prevent layoffs of transit workers and prevent cuts to services.
  • $15 billion for the Airline Payroll Support Program.
  • $8 billion for airports to improve prevent cuts to jobs and services.
  • $1.7 billion for Amtrak.
  • $3 billion for the aviation manufacturing workforce.

Small Business: $50 billion

  • $28.6 billion in direct relief for the restaurant industry through the creation of a grant program as envisioned in the RESTAURANTS Act.
  • $15 billion in new funding for Targeted EIDL grants to provide hard-hit , underserved small businesses with increased flexible grant relief. 
  • $1.25 billion in additional funds for the Shuttered Venue Operators Grant Program because last year’s end-of-year package did not include sufficient funding to ensure all eligible applicants would be covered based on rough estimates.

Housing and Rental Relief: $41.511 billion

  • $21.55 billion in emergency rental and utility assistance, with a $2.5 billion set-aside for “high need” areas.
  • $9.961 billion in mortgage and utility assistance.
  • $5 billion in support for people experiencing or at risk of homelessness.
  • $5 billion for emergency housing vouchers which help transition high-need homeless and at-risk families to stable housing.
  • $720 million for HUD’s Office of Native American Programs to address the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on operation of its Native American housing and community development programs.

Additional Health Care Support

  • $35 billion in premium subsidy increases for those who buy coverage on the ACA marketplaces.
  • Forgives more than $6 billion in payments that people would need to make if their 2020 advanced premium subsidies did not match their income.
  • Offers 5% increase to states’ base FMAP rate for two years if they expand coverage.
  • Subsidizes 100% of COBRA premiums for six months for individuals who lost employment or had reduced hours.
  • Provides premium subsidies of ACA marketplace coverage equivalent to a person earning up to 133% FPL for people who receive unemployment compensation. 

Child Care: $40 billion

  • $24 billion for Child Care Stabilization grants.
  • $15 billion for the Child Care and Development Block Grant (CCDBG) program.
  • $1 billion for the Head Start program.

Nutrition and Agriculture: $18.1 billion

  • $5.56 for to extend Pandemic EBT program which helps children in need by providing families, who normally would receive school meals in person, with the value of those missed school breakfasts and lunches.
  • $3.54 billion in SNAP benefits that extends the 15% through September.
  • $5 billion to provide debt relief and assistance to socially disadvantaged farmers and ranchers who have faced disproportionate impacts from the pandemic as a result of longstanding discrimination.
  • $4 billion to support the food supply chain.

Broadband

  • $7.172 billion to help schools and libraries ensure that our nation’s schoolchildren can fully participate in remote learning. 

Other Key Provisions

  • The ARP provides an extension and expansion of the paid sick and FMLA leave tax credits created in the Families First Coronavirus Response Act of 2020. 
  • The ARP extends and expands the Employee Retention Tax Credit (ERTC) through December 31, 2021.
  • $50 billion for the Disaster Relief Fund at FEMA to assist states, Tribal Nations, and territories, as well as individuals and qualifying private nonprofits
  • $17 billion to provide health care services and support to veterans, including COVID-19 vaccine distribution, expanded mental health care, and enhanced telehealth capabilities.
  • $10 billion for to expand domestic production of personal protective equipment (PPE), vaccines, and other medical supplies.
  • $4.5 billion for the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program and $500 million for low-income water assistance.
  • $900 million for the Bureau of Indian Affairs to address impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on operation of essential social welfare and public safety programs.

EMERGENCY COVID-19 RELIEF PACKAGE (Updated, December, 2020)

COVID-19 Emergency Relief Package - Topline Summary

COVID-19 Emergency Relief Package - Detailed Summary

Vaccines, Testing and Tracing, Community Health and Health Care Provider Support: $69 billion

  • Roughly $20 billion to BARDA for procurement of vaccines and therapeutics.
  • Nearly $9 billion to the CDC and states for vaccine distribution.
  • More than $3 billion for the strategic national stockpile.
  • This includes $300 million specifically directed to high risk and underserved areas for distribution, including communities of color.
  • More than $22 billion, all sent directly to states, for testing, tracing and COVID mitigation programs.
  • Of this total, $2.5 billion will be sent out as grants specifically targeted at needs in underserved areas, including both communities of color and rural communities.
  • $4.5 billion in mental health funding.
  • $9 billion in support for health care providers.
  • More than $1 billion for NIH to research COVID-19.
  • $1 billion in direct funds to the Indian Health Service

Direct Economic Relief for Workers and Families: $286 billion

  • $120 billion in additional federal funding for struggling workers nationwide by extending the historic unemployment insurance expansion established by the CARES Act, through March 14, 2021.
  • $166 billion in critical financial support in the form of one-time direct payments of $600 for individuals making up to $75,000 and $1,200 for couples making up to $150,000, as well as an extra $600 per eligible child dependent. Importantly, it also includes a provision, which is retroactive to the CARES Act, to expand these direct payments to mixed-status households, ensuring that millions of immigrant families across the U.S. get access to this relief.

Small Business: $325 billion

  • $284 billion for first and second forgivable PPP loans, dedicated set-asides for very small businesses and lending through community-based lenders like Community Development Financial Institutions and Minority Depository Institutions, and expanded PPP eligibility for 501(c)(6) nonprofits, including destination marketing organizations, and local newspapers, TV and radio broadcasters.
  • $20 billion is included for new EIDL Grants for businesses in low-income communities.
  • $3.5 billion for continued SBA debt relief payments, and $2 billion for enhancements to SBA lending.
  • $15 billion in dedicated funding for live venues, independent movie theaters, and cultural institutions.

Schools: $82 billion

  • $54.3 billion for the Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief Fund
  • $22.7 billion for the Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund
  • Including a $1.7 billion set-aside for HBCUs, tribal colleges, and Minority-Serving Institutions and $113.5 million for institutions with the greatest unmet needs or those not served by the primary formula, such as independent graduate schools
  • $4.05 billion for the Governors Emergency Education Relief Fund
  • $818.8 million for the Bureau of Indian Education 

Transportation: $45 billion

  • $15 billion for airline payroll support.
  • $1 billion for airline contractor payrolls.
  • $14 billion for transit.
  • $10 billion for state highway.
  • $2 billion for airports and airport concessionaires.
  • $2 billion for the private motorcoach, school bus, and ferry industries.
  • $1 billion for Amtrak

Support for Community Development Financial Institutions and Minority Depository Institutions: $12 billion

  • $12 billion in funding for CDFIs and the creation of a new Neighborhood Capital Investment program to support CDFIs and MDIs and help low-income and minority communities withstand the economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and respond to this unprecedented economic downturn. 

Rental Assistance: $25 billion

  • $25 billion to establish the first -ever emergency federal rental assistance program to be distributed by state and local governments. These funds will be targeted to families impacted by COVID that are struggling to make the rent and may have past due rent compounding on itself.

Nutrition and Agriculture: $26 billion

  • $13 billion to increase SNAP benefits by 15%, provide additional funding for food banks and senior nutrition programs, and to ensure college students have access to SNAP.
    • This bill also dedicates $614 million for nutrition assistance for Puerto Rico and the territories, allocates emergency funds for school and day care feeding programs and includes critical improvements to the P-EBT program.
  • $13 billion for direct payments, purchases and loans to farmers and ranchers who have suffered losses due to the pandemic. It also includes funds to support the food supply chain through food purchases, donations to food banks, and support for local food systems.

Child Care: $10 billion

  • $10 billion in emergency funds for the child care sector through the CCDBG program. These funds maintain the flexibility given to states through the CARES Act and can be used to provide child care assistance to families, and to help child care providers cover their increased operating costs during the pandemic.
    • The bill also includes $250 million for Head Start providers to ensure they are able to continue to safely serve low-income children and families throughout the pandemic

Broadband: $7 billion

  • $3.2 billion in emergency funds for low income families to access broadband through an FCC fund.
  • $1 billion tribal broadband fund.
  • $250 million dollars in telehealth funding.
  • $65 million to complete the broadband maps in order for the government to effectively disperse funding to the areas that need it most.
  • $2 billion to small telecommunication providers to rip out Huawei/ZTE equipment to replace it with secure equipment.
  • $300 million grant program to fund broadband in rural areas. 

Tax Provisions 

  • The bill importantly extends and expands the refundable Employee Retention Tax Credit (ERTC), which was established in the CARES Act.
  • The bill includes a special temporary rule allowing lower-income individuals to use their earned income from tax year 2019 to determine the Earned Income Tax Credit and the refundable portion of the Child Tax Credit (i.e., the Additional Child Tax Credit) in the 2020 tax year.
  • The bill extends the refundable payroll tax credits for paid sick and family leave that were established in the Families First Coronavirus Response Act, through March 31, 2021.

PHASE 3.5 COVID-19 RELIEF ACT (Updated, April 24, 2020)

The health provisions in the bill provide $100 billion in new health care funding, in addition to new requirements for a national testing strategy. 

Health System Relief Fund: $75 Billion 

$75 billion is provided for the purpose of reimbursing hospitals and health care providers for additional expenses related to COVID-19 care, treatment and prevention, as well as foregone revenue due to the pandemic. This is in addition to the $100 billion provided for the same purposes in the CARES Act, for a total of $175 billion in appropriations between the two bills. 

Testing Funding and Strategy: $25 billion 

  • $25 billion is provided for COVID-19 testing, including for development, manufacturing, purchase, and administration of tests and related equipment and supplies (including personal protective equipment), laboratory capacity, personnel, contract tracing and surveillance, and other purposes. 
  • The $25 billion is divided as follows: 
  • $4.25 billion is allocated to states based on the prevalence of COVID-19 cases. 
  • $11 billion for states, localities, territories, tribes, tribal organizations, urban Indian health organizations, or health service providers to tribes for necessary expenses to develop, purchase, administer, process, and analyze COVID–19 tests. Of this total: 
  • The $25 billion is divided as follows:
  • $1 billion for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention 
  • $1.8 billion for the National Institutes of Health, which includes $306 million to the National Cancer Institute, $500 million to the National Institute of Biomedical Imaging and Bioengineering and $1 billion to the Office of the Director 
  • $1 billion for the Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority 
  • $22 million for the Food and Drug Administration 
  • $600 million to HRSA for Community Health Centers 
  • $225 million for rural health clinics 
  • $1 billion to cover testing for the uninsured, which adds to the NDMS funding provided for such purposes in the CARES Act 
  • More than $8 billion remains undesignated, and HHS has discretion to spend it on various Covid-19 testing needs. 

The language also requires reports and strategy plans on testing: 

  • Requires a national strategic testing plan that details how the Administration will increase domestic testing capacity, address disparities, and provide assistance and resources to states, localities, territories, and tribes. 
  • Requires regular reporting of demographic data, including on race, ethnicity, age, sex, geographic region, and other factors for COVID-19 cases, hospitalizations, and deaths, and epidemiological analysis of such data. 
  • Requires states, localities, territories, and tribes to submit to the Secretary information on tests needed, laboratory and testing capacity, and how it will use provided resources. 

This $2 trillion dollar investment, will immediately bolster our health care response and our economy and includes strong worker protections, a Marshall Plan for our hospitals, and much more.

$260 billion massive investment in the Unemployment Insurance program.

  • Full Paycheck Replacement: An additional $600 per week for all those receiving unemployment benefits, available for four months. This equates to 100 percent of wages for the average American without a paycheck struggling through the crisis.
  • Waiving the Waiting Weeks: Gets money in people’s pockets sooner by providing federal incentives for states to eliminate the waiting weeks between applying for and receiving unemployment assistance.
  • Extension of Benefits: An additional 13 weeks of federally-funded unemployment insurance benefits are immediately be made available.
  • Expanding Access: Allow part-time, self-employed, and gig economy workers to access UI benefits.

$150 billion unprecedented and historic Marshall Plan investment for our health care system in its fight against the COVID-19 pandemic.

  • Equipment and Infrastructure: Personal and protective equipment for health care workers, testing supplies, increased workforce and training, new construction to house patients, emergency operation centers and more.
  • Enhanced Health Investments: Additional funding is also dedicated to delivering Medicare payment increases to all hospitals and providers to ensure that they receive the funding they need during this crisis, and new investments in our country’s Strategic National Stockpile, surge capacity and medical research into COVID-19.

$377 billion small business rescue plan to assist business owners with whatever needs they have right now.

  • $350 billion in loan forgiveness grants to small businesses and non-profits to maintain existing workforce and help pay for other expenses like rent, mortgage, and utilities.
  • $10 billion for SBA emergency grants of up to $10,000 to provide immediate relief for small business operating costs.
  • $17 billion for SBA to cover 6 months of payments for small businesses with existing SBA loans. This relief will also be available to new borrowers who take out loans within six months of the CARES Act being signed into law.

$150 billion state and local coronavirus expenditures fund to assist States, Tribes, and local governments that must pay for new expenses related to COVID-19 response.

  • $150 billion, with a small-state minimum of $1.25 billion
  • Tribal set-aside of $8 billion

$330 billion emergency appropriations including $100 billion for hospitals and providers mentioned above

  • $16 billion to replenish the Strategic National Stockpile supplies of pharmaceuticals, personal protective equipment, and other medical supplies, which are distributed to State and local health agencies, hospitals and other healthcare entities facing shortages during emergencies.
  • $1 billion for the Defense Production Act to bolster domestic supply chains, enabling industry to quickly ramp up production of personal protective equipment, ventilators, and other urgently needed medical supplies, and billions dollars more for federal, state, and local health agencies to purchase such equipment.
  • $4.3 billion to support federal, state, and local public health agencies to prevent, prepare for, and respond to the coronavirus, including for the purchase of personal protective equipment; laboratory testing to detect positive cases; infection control and mitigation at the local level to prevent the spread of the virus; and other public health preparedness and response activities.
  • $45 billion for FEMA’s Disaster Relief Fund, more than doubling the available funding, to provide for the immediate needs of state, local, tribal, and territorial governments, as well as private non-profits performing critical and essential services, to protect citizens and help them recover from the overwhelming effects of COVID-19. Reimbursable activities may include medical response, personal protective equipment, National Guard deployment, coordination of logistics, safety measures, and community services nationwide.
  • $30.75 billion for grants to provide emergency support to local school systems and higher education institutions to continue to provide educational services to their students and support the on-going functionality of school districts and institutions.
  • $25 billion in aid to our nation’s transit systems to help protect public health and safety while ensuring access to jobs, medical treatment, food, and other essential services.
  • $10 billion in grants to help our nation’s airports as the aviation sector grapples with the steepest and potentially sustained decline in air travel in history.
  • $3.5 billion in additional funding for the Child Care Development Block Grant to provide child care assistance to health care sector employees, emergency responders, sanitation workers, and other workers deemed essential during the response to the coronavirus.
  • More than $7 billion for affordable housing and homelessness assistance programs. This funding will help low-income and working class Americans avoid evictions and minimize any impacts caused by loss of employment, and child care, or other unforeseen circumstances related to COVID-19, and support additional assistance to prevent eviction and for people experiencing homelessness
  • More than $6.5 billion in Federal funding for CDBG, the Economic Development Administration, and the Manufacturing Extension Partnership to help mitigate the local economic crisis and rebuild impacted industries such as tourism or manufacturing supply chains.
  • $400 million in election assistance for the states to help prepare for the 2020 election cycle, including to increase the ability to vote by mail, expand early voting and online registration, and increase the safety of voting in-person by providing additional voting facilities and more poll- workers.
  • $2 billion in funding to strengthen response capacity and support tribal governments:
  • $1 billion to recapitalize Amtrak after steep ridership declines related to the outbreak. This will keep thousands of Amtrak employees employed, and ensure America’s intercity passenger rail stays on track, continuing service in the Northeast and nationwide.

Created robust worker and transparency protections on government loans.

  • No stock buybacks or dividends for the length of any loan provided by the Treasury plus 1 year.
  • Restrictions on any increases to executive compensation.
  • Protect collective bargaining agreements.
  • Real-time public reporting of Treasury transactions under the Act, including terms of loans, investments or other assistance to corporations.
  • Prohibition on businesses controlled by the President, Vice President, Members of Congress, and heads of Executive Departments getting loans or investments from Treasury programs.
  • Creation of Treasury Department Special Inspector General for Pandemic Recovery to provide oversight of Treasury loans and investments and a Pandemic Response Accountability Committee to protect taxpayer dollars.
  • Creation of a Congressional Oversight Commission to enhance legislative oversight of pandemic response.

Provided direct payments to working Americans.

  • $1,200 cash payments to working class Americans.
  • An additional $500 cash payment is available per child.
  • The full payment is available for individuals making up to $75,000 (individual) and $150,000 (married).
  • The value begins decreasing and then phases out completely for those making over the full payment income cap.

Protected over 2 Million aviation industry jobs

  • Secured direct payroll payments to keep millions of airline workers on the job and receiving paychecks.
  • Airline companies will be prohibited from stock buybacks and dividends for the entire life of the grant plus one year.
  • Collective Bargaining Agreements negotiated by workers will be protected.

Delivered student loan tax relief to alleviate the pressure of student loan costs during this crisis

  • This tax relief encourages employers to implement student loan repayment programs.
  • This provision will exclude up to $5,250 in qualifying student loan repayments paid by the employer on behalf of the employee from income for income tax purposes.

Small Business Owner’s Programs to Know

Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) Loans would provide cash-flow assistance through 100 percent federally guaranteed loans to employers who maintain their payroll during this emergency. Small businesses and other eligible entities will be able to apply if they were harmed by COVID-19 between February 15, 2020 and June 30, 2020.

Small Business Debt Relief Program will provide immediate relief to small businesses with non-disaster SBA loans. The U.S. Small Business Administration will cover all loan payments on these SBA loans, including principal, interest, and fees, for six months.

Emergency Economic Injury Grants provide an emergency advance of up to $10,000 to small businesses and private non-profits harmed by COVID-19.

Economic Injury Disaster Loans are lower interest loans of up to $2 million.

Counseling & Training resource partners, will receive additional funds to expand their reach and better support small business owners with counseling and up-to-date information regarding COVID-19.

Employee Retention Credit for Employers Subject to Closure or Experiencing Economic Hardship tax provision would provide a refundable payroll tax credit for 50 percent of wages paid by eligible employers to certain employees during the COVID-19 crisis.

Delay of Payment of Employer Payroll Taxes tax provision would allow taxpayers to defer paying the employer portion of certain payroll taxes through the end of 2020, with all 2020 deferred amounts due in two equal installments, one at the end of 2021, the other at the end of 2022.

Mid-Sized Business Liquidity Facility

The creation of a new Federal Reserve Program will allow any mid-sized business or nonprofit between 500 and 10,000 employees to get access to quick, low cost, government guaranteed credit through their local lender or financial institution. 

Loans must carry an interest rate of no greater than 2% and to provide forbearance on principal and interest for at least the first 6 months.

Borrowers will also be required to protect workers by using the money to keep workers employed – at least to 90% of their payroll – and keep workers paid at close to full compensation and benefits.

This $7.8 billion dollar package, plus a $500 million authorization to enhance telehealth services, will ensure the people on the front lines have the resources to prepare, prevent and respond to the crisis, including vaccine development, support for state and local governments’ prevention and response efforts, and the purchase of critical medical supplies to protect the health and safety of Americans. Over $2 billion to help federal, state, local, and tribal governments prevent, prepare, and respond to the crisis, including:

  • Nearly $1 billion directly to state, local, and tribal governments to conduct public health preparedness and response activities, including:
  • $300 million to replenish the Infectious Disease Rapid Response Reserve Fund.
  • $300 million to CDC for global disease detection and emergency response.
  • Reimbursement to state and local governments for costs incurred responding to coronavirus prior to the date of enactment of this bill.
  • Support for CDC’s continuing efforts to contain and combat this virus, including: 
  • More than $2 billion for the Biomedical Advance Research and Development Authority (BARDA), prioritizing platform-based technologies with U.S-based manufacturing for vaccines and therapeutics.
  • $836 million for the National Institutes of Health to support this research, including $10 million for worker-based training to prevent and reduce exposure of hospital employees, emergency first responders, and other workers at risk through their work duties.
  • $300 million in contingency funding for procurement of vaccines, therapeutics, and diagnostics. 
  • • $61 million for the Food and Drug Administration to review and approve vaccines, enhance emergency use authorizations, and advance continuous manufacturing.
  • The bill also includes the following to help vaccines, therapeutics, and diagnostics remain affordable:  
  • Approximately $500 million for procurement of pharmaceuticals, masks, personal protective equipment, and other medical supplies, which can be distributed to state and local health agencies in areas with a shortage of medical supplies.
  • $100 million for Community Health Centers, supporting smaller health clinics in under-served urban and rural areas. 
  • Funding for hospital preparedness, state and local pathogen treatment centers, and medical surge capacity to increase capacity at health facilities across the country. $1.25 billion to combat this public health threat overseas to prevent and respond to wider spread of the virus, including:
  • $264 million to maintain consular operations overseas, for emergency preparedness for our embassies, and for evacuations of Americans if needed.
  • $435 million to enable overseas health systems to prevent, prepare for, and respond to the virus.
  • $300 million for humanitarian assistance in countries coping with the virus. 
  • $250 million for the Economic Support Fund, including to address related economic, security, and stabilization requirements. Emergency telehealth waiver to support telehealth services. 
  • Allows the HHS Secretary to waive certain Medicare telehealth restrictions during the coronavirus public health emergency, allowing Medicare providers to furnish telehealth services to Medicare beneficiaries regardless of whether the beneficiary is in a rural community, and allowing beneficiaries to receive care from physicians and other practitioners in their homes.  This provision is estimated to cost $500 million.  Assistance for small businesses impacted by the coronavirus outbreak.
  • $1 billion in loan subsidies that would provide $7 billion in low-interest loans for small businesses impacted by financial losses as a result of the coronavirus outbreak. Reimbursement of up to $136 million to important healthcare programs.
  • The Trump Administration diverted money from critical healthcare programs, including for mental health and substance abuse treatment and prevention, and heating and cooling assistance for low-income families (LIHEAP), to support its coronavirus response.

This bill restores funds to those programs.