Good Afternoon,

Here to ask for your swift advocacy efforts again!

The CARES Act (the third major federal coronavirus bill) introduces the “Paycheck Protection Program, ” a very generous loan program that is tailored to help cover payroll and some other associated payroll cost for small (under 500 employees) businesses. However, the program specifically includes this provision that would exclude Medicaid waiver and ICF providers.

‘‘(ii) EXCLUSION OF NONPROFITS RECEIVING MEDICAID EXPENDITURES.— Clause (i) shall not apply to a nonprofit entity eligible for payment for items or services furnished under a State plan under title XIX of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1396 et seq.) or under a waiver of such plan.”

We believe providers should not be excluded from these loans because of their revenue stream! I am encouraging you as quickly as possible to reach out directly to Senators Portman and Brown.

You can use something like this as a basis for your message in the email. You are welcome to develop something else if you would like.

I’m writing in regard to the Senate’s negotiations on the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Securities Act (CARES Act) and the included Paycheck Protection Program for small businesses. Currently, the program excludes businesses that receive Medicaid funding. I work at [your agency] that serves [demographics of your agency- number of individuals with disabilities, broad description of their needs] and receives approximately [XX]% of our funding from Medicaid through [home and community-based service waiver and/or intermediate care facilities for individuals with intellectual disabilities]. Our agency is working tirelessly to ensure the people with intellectual and developmental disabilities get the support they need during this pandemic. We are swiftly reacting to the changing landscape and incurring additional expenses to be able to provide safe services to people with developmental disabilities. [You can add something here about your fears for economic sustainability over the coming weeks]. On behalf of my [# of staff you employ] staff and the people [you agency] supports, I implore you to remove or modify this provision so that my agency and agencies similarly situated will be able to access the Paycheck Protect Program and continue to provide necessary services during and after the Coronavirus pandemic.

Let me know if you have any questions!

Christine

Christine Touvelle

Ohio Provider Resource Association

Policy Analyst

(614) 224-6772 x 117

ctouvelle@opra.org