Colorado Senators and Representatives Secure Critical Relief for Rural Healthcare Providers

Colorado Senators Michael Bennet and Cory Gardner, along with Representatives Joe Neguse, Scott Tipton, and Ken Buck, have secured clarification from the Small Business Administration (SBA) that Critical Access Hospitals (CAHs) and Rural Health Clinics (RHCs) are eligible for relief provided by the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP). This clarification comes after the Colorado delegation members demanded answers on why no action had been taken to ensure CAHs and RHCs were eligible for this critical relief. The updated guidance ensures that any hospital with less than 50% of its revenue from state or local taxpayer sources is eligible.

Key Takeaways:

• The SBA has clarified that CAHs and RHCs are eligible for relief provided by the PPP, with the updated guidance stating that any hospital with less than 50% of its revenue from state or local taxpayer sources is eligible.
• The Colorado delegation members, including Senators Bennet and Gardner, and Representatives Neguse, Tipton, and Buck, demanded answers on why no action had been taken to ensure CAHs and RHCs were eligible for this critical relief.
• The clarification is a result of the delegation's unified request to the Small Business Administration for critical improvements to the CARES Act, including making clear CAHs and other rural healthcare providers are able to participate in the PPP.
• The delegation members have emphasized the importance of supporting rural hospitals and clinics, which are critical to the health and economic well-being of Coloradans across the state.
• Representative Tipton noted that medical staff in rural hospitals have been on the front lines of the pandemic, serving communities across the Third District, and have taken a significant revenue hit due to the pandemic.
• Representative Buck highlighted the importance of supporting rural health clinics and critical access hospitals, which are vital to rural communities across Colorado's Fourth Congressional District.

Statistics:

• $310 billion additional funding has been approved for the Paycheck Protection Program.
• CAHs and RHCs will now be eligible for relief provided by the PPP.
• 50% of a hospital's revenue must not come from state or local taxpayer sources to be eligible.

Sources:

• Colorado Senator Michael Bennet's office
• Cory Gardner's office
• Joe Neguse's office
• Scott Tipton's office
• Ken Buck's office