The U.S. House of Representatives passed a $3 trillion COVID-19 relief package May 15 that includes aid for hospitals and funds to expand access to COVID-19 testing.
The 1,800-page Health and Economic Recovery Omnibus Emergency Solutions Act provides nearly $1 trillion for state and local governments, $100 billion in grants for hospitals and medical providers, $75 billion for COVID-19 testing and contact tracing, and relaxes repayment terms for Medicare advance payments.
"With the addition of $100 billion in emergency aid, the HEROES Act would bring vital support to our hospitals as they continue to grapple with the pandemic's enormous medical, logistical, and financial challenges," said America's Essential Hospitals President and CEO Bruce Siegel, MD. "We also appreciate lawmakers' forward-thinking approach, which considers how long it will take hospitals to regain their financial footing."
The sweeping legislation passed 208-199. Though the Republican-led Senate isn't expected to consider the relief package in its current form, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., signaled she is open to negotiating, according to ABC News.