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Dr. Ruiz on Passage of Paycheck Protection Program and Health Care Enhancement Act

April 23, 2020

Washington, DC – Congressman Raul Ruiz, M.D. today released a statement following the House passage of the Paycheck Protection Program and Health Care Enhancement Act – emergency relief funding that will provide funding for small businesses, hospitals, providers, and increased testing to combat the coronavirus pandemic.

Statement from U.S. Representative Raul Ruiz, MD:

"The Paycheck Protection Program and Health Care Enhancement Act will provide much-needed help to millions of Americans, especially our small businesses. However, smaller cities and tribal nations across the country still need funding to support essential frontline workers, firefighters, paramedics, and law enforcement. They must be included in the next bill!"

You can watch Congressman Ruiz's full remarks on the House floor here.

Background on the Paycheck Protection Program and Health Care Enhancement Act

  • For small businesses: Strengthened the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) with $310 billion in additional funding, with $30 billion reserved for community-based lenders, small banks and credit unions and $30 billion for medium-sized banks and credit unions.
    • Expanded small business support beyond PPP by securing $50 billion for Small Business Administration (SBA) disaster lending, translating into more than $350 billion in loans, and $10 billion in SBA disaster grants.
  • For hospitals and providers: $75 billion to provide resources to reimburse hospitals and other health care providers for health care related expenses or lost revenue attributable to COVID-19. This funding can be used for desperately needed Personal Protective Equipment (PPE).
  • For all Americans: Secured $25 billion for testing, which is the key to reopening the economy and resuming our lives. The bill also requires the Secretary of HHS to submit a COVID-19 Strategic Testing Plan to Congress no later than 30 days after the date of enactment.