Wyden, Merkley, Walden virus-related releases, Wednesday

WASHINGTON (KTVZ) -- Here are COVID-19 news releases issued Wednesday by Oregon's congressional delegation.

Rosen, Wyden Lead Call on Congressional Leaders to Ensure Cannabis Small Businesses Can Access Emergency SBA Loan and Grant Programs

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senators Jacky Rosen (D-NV) and Ron Wyden (D-OR), led 8 of their Senate colleagues, including Catherine Cortez Masto (D-NV) and Jeff Merkley (D-OR), in a letter to Congressional leadership calling for forthcoming COVID-19 relief legislative packages to allow state-legal cannabis small businesses and indirect cannabis small businesses to access loan and emergency grant programs administered by the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA).

In the letter, the Senators highlight the failings of current regulations that exclude small businesses with “direct” or “indirect” products or services that aid the use, growth, enhancement, or other development of cannabis from SBA-backed financing, including the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) and Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDL). These outdated regulations have left taxpaying, state-legal cannabis small businesses behind during this crisis.

“The cannabis industry supports more than 240,000 workers in the United States, spanning 33 states and the District of Columbia. Some of these jobs have already been lost due to the COVID-19 pandemic and the resulting economic crisis, and there is significant risk of greater job loss in the coming months. Many cannabis businesses are small-to-medium size operators, and some have been ordered to close to comply with state public health safety measures without having access to the same support systems in place as other small businesses in different sectors,” wrote the Senators.

“Given the nature of the global COVID-19 pandemic, we must ensure that every American small business has the capacity to protect the health and economic wellbeing of their community and workforce. Therefore, we ask Senate Leadership to include in any future relief package provisions to allow state-legal cannabis small businesses and the small businesses who work with this industry to access the critical SBA support they need during these challenging and unprecedented times,” concluded the Senators.

BACKGROUND: In addition, signatories included Senators Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), Bernie Sanders (D-VT), Ed Markey (D-MA), Kamala Harris (D-CA), Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), and Michael Bennet (D-CO).

The full text of the letter can be found here and below:

Dear Majority Leader McConnell and Leader Schumer:

Thank you for your ongoing efforts to address the needs of the American people during the COVID-19 crisis. We write to ask that forthcoming COVID-19 relief legislation allow state-legal cannabis small businesses and indirect marijuana small businesses to access emergency loan and grant programs administered by the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA). Access to the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) and the Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) program will allow these small businesses to keep their workers on payroll and prevent further job losses that are devastating the economy. The coronavirus crisis demands relief for all workers and businesses, no matter the sector.

The cannabis industry supports more than 240,000 workers in the United States, spanning 33 states and the District of Columbia. Some of these jobs have already been lost due to the COVID-19 pandemic and the resulting economic crisis, and there is significant risk of greater job loss in the coming months. Many cannabis businesses are small-to-medium size operators, and some have been ordered to close to comply with state public health safety measures without having access to the same support systems in place as other small businesses in different sectors.

SBA’s current regulations exclude small businesses with “direct” or “indirect” products or services that aid the use, growth, enhancement, or other development of cannabis from SBA-backed financing, including PPP and EIDL. Consequently, small business owners in states with some form of legal cannabis must choose between remaining eligible for SBA loan programs, or doing business with or in a rapidly-growing and legal industry.

Workers at state-legal cannabis small businesses are no different from workers at any other small business—they show up to work every day, perform their duties, and most importantly, work to provide for their families. This lack of access to SBA assistance for cannabis small businesses will undoubtedly lead to unnecessary layoffs, reduced hours, pay cuts, and furloughs for the workers who need support the most. The COVID-19 outbreak is no time to permit outdated federal policy to stand in the way of the reality that state-legal cannabis small businesses are sources of economic growth and financial stability for thousands of workers and families.

Given the nature of the global COVID-19 pandemic, we must ensure that every American small business has the capacity to protect the health and economic wellbeing of their community and workforce. Therefore, we ask Senate Leadership to include in any future relief package provisions to allow state-legal cannabis small businesses and the small businesses who work with this industry to access the critical SBA support they need during these challenging and unprecedented times.

Thank you for your consideration of this request.

Sincerely,

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Greg Walden Statement on More Funding for Oregon Health Care Providers, Hospitals 

WASHINGTON, D.C. -- Today, Representative Greg Walden announced that the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) will award over $40 billion to health care providers and hospitals across the country. The funding comes as a result of HHS distributing over $40 billion of the $100 billion that the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act designated for provider relief. In addition to this funding, HHS has already distributed $30 billion nationwide, including $291 million to Oregon. 
 
"I thank Secretary Azar and his team for continuing to work with me to provide relief payments to Oregon healthcare providers. This additional funding will help them provide the care necessary as Oregon responds to the coronavirus and will true-up the funding for those that have large Medicaid and Medicare Advantage patient populations and serve rural communities. I am confident that this additional relief, paired with the Administration’s relaxing of restrictions on elective procedures in certain areas, will help ease the burden many providers in the Second District have told me they are facing. While this is not the first relief funding headed to Oregon, it is also not the last. I will continue to work with Secretary Azar to ensure that Oregon receives the support necessary to protect Oregonians, combat this  deadly virus, and get our communities up and operating," said Walden.  
 
This wave of funding targets providers with large Medicaid and Medicare Advantage patient populations, rural communities, and hot spots. The funding will deliver $10 billion for rural providers based on operating expenses and includes unique solutions for sole Medicaid providers and dentists. 
   
Click here to learn about all COVID-19 related funding HHS has awarded Oregon.  

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Wyden, Merkley Call for Broad Investigations of the Trump Administration's COVID-19 Response

Washington, D.C. – U.S. Sens. Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley today called for investigations into the Trump Administration's COVID-19 response, including whether political expediency rather than urgent public health needs has driven the distribution of life-saving medical supplies and equipment and other key public health and economic decisions.

The letter from Wyden, Merkley and eight other senators to the Inspectors General for the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) noted that the Trump administration has been unable to deliver urgently-needed personal protective equipment (PPE) and ventilators. And they said the administration has created confusion and distress among states by seizing equipment orders and providing little transparency about decision-making.

The senators wrote that the administration appears to have made decisions about distributing life-saving supplies based on the electoral concerns of Trump and his political allies rather than the most urgent public health needs. The senators also raised concerns about Jared Kushner's involvement in Project Airbridge and evidence he may have fast-tracked shipments at the requests of donors and other friends.

"This confusion has been exacerbated by President Trump's public statements suggesting that governors' political support for his administration could influence how much support they receive from the federal government," the lawmakers wrote in their letter. "This obfuscation underscores the need for clarity as to how decisions regarding the seizure and redistribution of supplies are being made, and whether or not they are tainted with political interference."

In addition to Wyden and Merkley, others signing the letter led by U.S. Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) include Sens. Tom Udall (D-N.M.), Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.), Kamala Harris (D-Calif.), Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.), and Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.).

A copy of the entire letter is here.

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Greg Walden Shares What You Need to Know on COVID-19 - April 22

April 22, 2020 Press ReleaseAn Update for April 22, 2020

Representative Greg Walden (R-Hood River) released an update on COVID-19 for April 22, 2020.

The latest on the coronavirus:

More Funding for Health Care Providers & Hospitals

The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) will award over $40 billion  to health care providers and hospitals. The funding comes as a result of HHS distributing over $40 billion of the $100 billion that the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act designated for provider relief. In addition to this funding HHS has already distributed $30 billion nationwide, including $291 million to Oregon. Read more here.

Agreement Reached on Funding for PPP, EIDL

Yesterday, the Senate passed a bill that would provide additional funding for the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) and Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) program, which both ran out of money last week. The bill includes $310 billion for the PPP and $10 billion for EIDL advance/grant program, $50 billion for EIDL program, $75 billion for hospitals/providers, and $25 billion for testing.

Nationwide, the PPP approved forgivable loans to more than 1.6 million small businesses and processed nearly $350 billion in only 14 days.

In Oregon, the PPP approved over 18,700 forgivable loans and processed over $3.8 billion in only 14 days.

Read more here.

How to Get Your Economic Impact Payment

Over the next several weeks, most Americans will see their payment of $1,200 per individual, $2,400 per couple, and $500 per child arrive directly to their bank account via direct deposit thanks to the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act. 

The IRS announced a change for veterans who receive disability compensation, a pension, or survivor benefits from the Department of Veterans Affairs  - these  veterans DO NOT need to do anything to receive their payment.

Those on Social Security who do not file taxes also DO NOT need to file anything to receive this new payment.

Low income individuals with a gross income between $12,200 for individuals and $24,400 for married couples that do not file taxes, WILL need to submit information to the IRS to receive this payment. You can provide this information through the IRS’s website here.

For additional information about the economic impact payment you can visit the IRS website here.

Assistance for Farmers: 

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced the Coronavirus Food Assistance Program (CFAP), an immediate relief program that provides $19 billion in support to farmers and ranchers, maintains the integrity of our food supply chain, and ensures access to food for those in need.  This includes $16 billion in direct support to farmers and ranchers based on actual losses for agricultural producers.  Read more here.

NIH Begins New Study:

NIH has begun recruiting for a new study to quantify undetected cases of COVID-19.  In this “serosurvey,” researchers will collect and analyze blood samples from as many as 10,000 volunteers to provide critical data for epidemiological models, helping to illuminate the extent to which the virus has spread undetected in the United States.  People interested in joining this study should contact clinicalstudiesunit@nih.gov. 

Clinical trial information is here. 

Watch out for COVID-19 Scams:

Both the Federal Trade Commission and the Federal Communications Commission are reporting a spike in coronavirus related scams including home testing kits, fake cures, and other malicious attempts to prey on COVID-19 fears. The Treasury Department will NOT ask you to pay anything for the payment most Americans will receive as a result of the CARES Act and will not contact you for your bank account information. If you are contacted by someone claiming to be from the government asking for this type of information, please report it to www.ftc.gov/complaint. You can learn more about how to protect yourself from these types of scams here.

Resources to Know and Share: Here are some helpful resources and information on COVID-19.

Individual Payments:

The IRS launched the “Get My Payment” web portal with features to let taxpayers check on their Economic Impact Payment date and update direct deposition information. Click here to check on the status of your payment.

Helpful Resources on PPE:

CDC updated the PPE Burn Rate Calculator, a spreadsheet-based model that will help health care facilities plan and optimize the use of PPE for response to COVID-19.  More here.

You can now see PPE shipments to Oregon counties here.

ASSISTANCE FOR SMALL BUSINESSES

The Paycheck Protection Program prioritizes millions of Americans employed by small businesses by authorizing up to $349 billion toward job retention and certain other expenses.

Small businesses and eligible nonprofit organizations, Veterans organizations, and Tribal businesses described in the Small Business Act, as well as individuals who are self-employed or are independent contractors, are eligible if they also meet program size standards.

For a top-line overview of the program CLICK HERE
If you’re a lender, more information can be found HERE
If you’re a borrower, more information can be found HERE
The application for borrowers can be found HERE

Other resources on the Paycheck Protection Program:

• Coronavirus.gov Small Business Resources Page
• Treasury Department Overview On The Paycheck Protection Program
• SBA.gov/Coronavirus Small Business Guidance & Loan Resources Page

INFORMATION FOR AMERICANS ABROAD:

The State Department has repatriated over 50,000 Americans from more than 90 countries.

The State Department is making efforts to bring home Americans, including through commercial flights, chartered flights, and military transport.  Any American abroad who needs assistance should contact their local U.S. embassy and register with the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP), available here or by calling 1-888-407-4747.

If you decide to travel abroad or are already outside the United States:

• Consider returning to your country of residence immediately using whatever commercial means are available.
• Have a travel plan that does not rely on the U.S. Government for assistance.
• Review and follow the CDC’s guidelines for the prevention of coronavirus.
• Check with your airline, cruise lines, or travel operators regarding any updated information about your travel plans and/or restrictions.
• Visit travel.state.gov to view individual Travel Advisories for the most urgent threats to safety and security.
• Visit Embassy webpages on COVID-19 for information on conditions in each country or jurisdiction.
• Visit the Department of Homeland Security’s website on the latest travel restrictions to the United  States

ASSISTANCE FROM HHS AND FEMA:

HHS and FEMA have fielded many requests to assist or partner with the Federal Government in response to the COVID pandemic.

• Organizations or individuals seeking to contract with the federal government to import or manufacture medical products to aid the U.S. response submit information to FEMA through a Request for Proposal, available here.
• Organizations or individuals that wish to donate medical supplies or equipment can submit that information here.
• Other inquiries from organizations or individuals, including individuals who want to volunteer or organizations that want to produce a product related to the COVID response, among other inquiries, can be referred to https://www.fema.gov/coronavirus/how-to-help. 

How to schedule a blood donation appointment:

• Visit RedCrossBlood.org. Click on “Schedule an Appointment” under the “Donate Blood” tab. From there you can enter your zip code to find a blood drive near you.
• Red Cross Blood Donor App
• Call 1-800-RED-CROSS
• Use Amazon Alexa Blood Scheduling Skill 

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MERKLEY, GARDNER, REED, MORAN MAKE BIPARTISAN PUSH TO INCREASE CRITICAL FUNDS FOR SUICIDE PREVENTION AMID PANDEMIC

Coronavirus crisis poses serious test to Americans’ emotional and mental resiliency

Wednesday, April 22, 2020

Washington, D.C. – Oregon’s U.S. Senator Jeff Merkley and Senators Cory Gardner (R-CO), Jack Reed (D-RI), and Jerry Moran (R-KS), along with 10 of their colleagues, are making a bipartisan push to provide the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline (NSPL) with $80 million to support critical suicide prevention activities amid a public health crisis that is upending the social and financial stability of countless Americans.

The letter, which was addressed to Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell and Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, comes as Congress starts discussing the next coronavirus relief legislation.

“The global pandemic has drastically disrupted the life of every American. As a result, millions of individuals are experiencing heightened levels of fear, anxiety, social isolation, stress, and more. These factors, when felt concurrently, effect a person’s mental health and often lead to increased episodes of suicidal ideation,” the senators wrote. “The emotional and mental resiliency of our nation is being tested. Americans are looking to Congress to invest in programs that offer a lifeline of support when a person has nowhere else to turn.”

In 2019, suicide was the second leading cause of death for people ages 10 to 34—with LGBTQ youth at particular risk. Individualized interventions provided by crisis hotlines and mobile response teams can help reduce risk factors that culminate in suicide attempts.

Specifically, the senators’ bipartisan recommendation is that Congress allocate $50 million to respond to current and future crisis call volume, and an additional $30 million to expand crisis chat capacity, including an effort to increase accessibility by shortening the Lifeline’s phone number from ten digits to three.

Senators Merkley, Gardner, Reed, and Moran were joined in sending the letter by Senators Tammy Baldwin (D-WI), Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), Angus King (I-ME), Robert Casey (D-PA), Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), Dianne Feinstein (D-CA), Michael Bennet (D-CO), Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Edward J. Markey (D-MA), and Cory Booker (D-NJ).

The full text of the letter is available here and follows below.

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Dear Majority Leader McConnell and Minority Leader Schumer,

Thank you for your bipartisan response to the health and economic effects of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) in the United States. As you prepare for a fourth relief package, we respectfully request $80 million for the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline (NSPL) to support critical suicide prevention activities and assist with the transition to an operational three-digit code for the NSPL.

The global pandemic has drastically disrupted the life of every American. As a result, millions of individuals are experiencing heightened levels of fear, anxiety, social isolation, stress, and more. These factors, when felt concurrently, effect a person’s mental health and often lead to increased episodes of suicidal ideation. The emotional and mental resiliency of our nation is being tested. Americans are looking to Congress to invest in programs that offer a lifeline of support when a person has nowhere else to turn.

Before the COVID-19 pandemic, one in five U.S. adults reported they experience some level of mental illness. Moreover, in 2019, suicide was the second leading cause of death for people ages 10 to 34. LGBTQ youth are at particular risk; they are more than four times more likely to attempt suicide than their straight peers. An unacceptable average of 132 Americans died each day by suicide last year. The social and economic turmoil caused by COVID-19 will only amplify the factors that lead to mental health challenges and suicide, and our nation will see these alarming statistics rise if we fail to adequately respond in time.

Suicide prevention efforts, such as crisis hotlines and mobile response teams, reduce risk factors that culminate in severe mental health challenges and suicide attempts by providing individualized interventions. Lives are saved when people are connected to the resources they need to improve their mental well-being in a timely and empathetic manner.

In order to fully support the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline to meet the current and future crisis call volume and provide additional resources for states to provide comprehensive crisis response services, we recommend $80 million, which would accommodate $50 million to respond to crisis call volume and $30 million to build out crisis chat capacity. This support is especially important as there is ongoing work to transition the NSPL from ten digits to three digits to increase access to services.

We thank you for your support of the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline and respectfully request your continued support to bring hope and health to Americans who struggle with mental health challenges and suicidal ideation, especially during the ongoing public health pandemic.

Sincerely,