American Hospital Association Statement on President-elect Biden’s COVID Relief Plan

American Hospital Association Statement on President-elect Biden’s COVID Relief Plan | site |




(Information contained in American Hospital Association [AHA] press release dated: January 14, 2021)

AHA Statement on President-elect Biden’s COVID Relief Plan


Rick Pollack
President and CEO
American Hospital Association

January 14, 2021

America’s hospitals and health systems, and our heroic front-line caregivers, applaud President-elect Biden’s focus and broad approach in bringing the COVID-19 pandemic to an end. We both share this as among the highest priorities for the nation. We continue to call for increased federal leadership, support and resources to combat this virus that has devastated countless families and communities and this plan makes important strides in these directions. In particular, we are pleased that it includes much-needed additional funding to ...

U.S. Education Secretary DeVos Quickly Makes Available an Additional $54 Billion in COVID Relief Aid for K-12 Students, Teachers, and Schools | site |


Urges educators to safely re-open schools and take immediate action to address the unprecedented learning loss of disadvantaged children


(Information contained in U.S. Department of Education press release dated: January 5, 2021) Washington - - U.S. Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos announced today that more than $54 billion in emergency relief funding is now available to support fully reopening K-12 schools, facilitate continuity of learning, and measure and address the learning loss caused by a lack of in-person learning opportunities. This funding is allocated by the Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2021, Public Law 116-260, signed into law by President Donald J. Trump on Dec. 27, 2020. "Every student deserves access to a full-time education and the opportunity to ...

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs resumes Overpayment Notifications while continuing Relief Options for Veterans | site |



Washington - - The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) announced today its nationwide plan to resume mailing notification letters to Veterans, for benefit overpayments placed in suspension from April 3 through Jan. 1, 2021.

The collection of these overpayments was deferred to provide financial relief to Veterans due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

“VA recognizes Veterans and beneficiaries may still experience financial distress from COVID-19, and it will continue to offer enhanced relief options for impacted Veterans,” said VA Secretary Robert Wilkie. “These include extending repayment plans, waivers, compromises and temporary hardship suspensions. Most importantly, the department will pause collections through October 2021 for Veterans who remain in financial hardship and request relief.” Veterans an...

Treasury, IRS provide Relief for those developing Renewable Energy Projects Offshore or on Federal Land | site |




(Information contained in U.S. Internal Revenue Service [IRS] press release dated: December 31, 2020)

Washington - - The Treasury Department and the Internal Revenue Service today issued guidance providing an extension of the safe harbor for taxpayers developing renewable energy projects offshore or on federal land. Renewable energy projects constructed offshore or on federal land are ordinarily subject to significant delays that can result in project completion times of up to twice as long as other renewable energy projects. These delays threaten taxpayers’ ability to satisfy requirements to claim the production tax credit and the investment tax credit. To address this hurdle, the Treasury Department and the IRS have determined that it is necessary to extend the safe harbor period to up to 10 calendar years after the year in...

U.S. Education Secretary DeVos Releases Statement on Signing of COVID Relief Package | site |




(Information contained in U.S. Department of Education press release: December 28, 2020) U.S. Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos released the following statement on the signing of the COVID relief package: "It was long past time for Congress to have reached a compromise that provides continued relief to students and keeps the government funded through the next fiscal year. While there are historic wins in this package, there are also some important issues left unresolved. "The emergency taxpayer funding set aside for the Education Stabilization Fund will continue to help keep learning going and will hopefully take excuses off the table for schools that remain closed. I am pleased to see that Congress has finally acknowledged what this Administration has said all along: All students and all educators at all schools — private, parochial, and public — are affec...

Statement by U.S. Treasury Secretary Steven T. Mnuchin on Passage of the Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act | site |


(Information contained in U.S. Department of the Treasury press release statement: December 22, 2020)



Statement by Secretary Steven T. Mnuchin on Passage of the Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act

Washington - - Secretary Steven T. Mnuchin issued the following statement on passage of the Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act as part of the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2021: “I am pleased that the United States Senate and House of Representatives have passed on an overwhelmingly bipartisan basis the Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act, as part of the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2021. I want to thank President Trump for his leadership and Leader McConnell, Leader Schumer, Speaker Pel...

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Increases and Begins Distributing Over $24 Billion in Phase 3 COVID-19 Provider Relief Funding | site |


(Information contained in U.S. Department of Health and Human Services [HHS] press release: December 16, 2020)

Today, the Trump Administration, through the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) is announcing it has completed review of Phase 3 applications from the Provider Relief Fund (PRF) program and will distribute $24.5 billion to over 70,000 providers. Up from the $20 billion originally planned, the addition of another $4.5 billion in funding is being used to satisfy close to 90 percent of each applicant’s reported lost revenues and net change in expenses caused by the coronavirus pandemic in the first half of 2020. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) recognizes this pandemic has upended the health care system and caused significant financial hardships....

U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development announces over $80 Million in Targeted Funding for Coronavirus Relief | site |


Mainstream Vouchers aid non-elderly populations with disabilities in response to, and recovery from, COVID-19


(Information contained in U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development press release: November 17, 2020)

Washington - - The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) today made $86.85 million available to public housing agencies (PHAs) in the form of Mainstream funding vouchers to assist non-elderly populations impacted by Coronavirus. Mainstream Vouchers are administered using the same rules as other housing choice vouchers but targeted to serve a special population to ensure residents of low income housing, including those with unique circumstances, receive necessary funding to protect their health and safety against COVID-19. “Recently, we have learned a great deal about Coron...

Agencies provide Temporary Relief to Community Banking Organizations | site |



(Information contained in Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System press release: November 20, 2020)


Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System

Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation

Office of the Comptroller of the Currency The federal bank regulatory agencies on Friday announced an interim final rule that provides temporary relief for certain community banking organizations related to certain regulations and reporting requirements as a result, in large part, of their growth in size from the coronavirus response. Community banking organizations are subject to different rules and requirements based on their risk profile and asset size. Due to participating in federal coronavirus response programs—such as the Paycheck Protection Program—and other lending that supports the U.S. economy, many community banking organizations h...

IRS makes it easier to set up Payment Agreements; offers other Relief to Taxpayers Struggling with Tax Debts | site |



(November 2, 2020) - - Today, November 2, 2020, the U.S. Internal Revenue Service (IRS) published the following information: WASHINGTON — The Internal Revenue Service today announced a number of changes designed to help struggling taxpayers impacted by COVID-19 more easily settle their tax debts with the IRS. The IRS assessed its collection activities to see how it could apply relief for taxpayers who owe but are struggling financially because of the pandemic, expanding taxpayer options for making payments and alternatives to resolve balances owed. "The IRS understands that many taxpayers face challenges, and we're working hard to help people facing issues paying their tax bills," said IRS Commissioner Chuck Rettig. "Following up on our People First Initiative earlier this year, this next phase of our efforts will help with further taxp...

Additional Details - - - Health and Human Services Expands Relief Fund Eligibility and Updates Reporting Requirements | site |



(October 22, 2020) - - In a news release dated October 22, 2020, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services published the following information: The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), through the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), is announcing the latest Provider Relief Fund (PRF) application period has been expanded to include provider applicants such as residential treatment facilities, chiropractors, and eye and vision providers that have not yet received Provider Relief Fund distributions. On October 1, 2020, HHS announced it would be making up to $20 billion in new Phase 3 General Distribution funding available for providers on the frontlines of the coronavirus pandemic. HHS is also focused on ensuring the safe continuity of all types of health care delivery despite this pandemic. A...

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Expands Relief Fund Eligibility and Updates Reporting Requirements | site |




(October 22, 2020) - - Today, October 22, 2020, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services published the following information: The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), through the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), is announcing the latest Provider Relief Fund (PRF) application period has been expanded to include provider applicants such as residential treatment facilities, chiropractors, and eye and vision providers that have not yet received Provider Relief Fund distributions. On October 1, 2020, HHS announced it would be making up to $20 billion in new Phase 3 General Distribution funding available for providers on the frontlines of the coronavirus pandemic. HHS is also focused on ensuring the safe continuity of all types of health care delivery despite this pandemic. As such, the Adminis...

U.S. Internal Revenue Service provides Tax Relief for Victims of September Wildfires in California; Oct. 15 Deadline, other Dates Extended to Jan. 15 | site |




(October 19, 2020) - - Today, October 19, 2020, the U.S. Internal Revenue Service (IRS) published the following information:

WASHINGTON — Victims of the California wildfires that began on September 4 now have until January 15, 2021, to file various individual and business tax returns and make tax payments, the Internal Revenue Service announced today.

The IRS is offering this relief to any area designated by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) as qualifying for individual assistance. Currently this includes Fresno, Los Angeles, Madera, Mendocino, San Bernardino, San Diego and Siskiyou counties in California, but taxpayers in localities added later to the disaster area will automatically receive the same filing and payment relief. The current list of eligible...

Trump Administration Announces $20 Billion in New Phase 3 Provider Relief Funding | site |


(October 1, 2020) - - The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) published today, October 1, 2020, the following information:

Today, under the leadership of President Trump, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), through the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), is announcing $20 billion in new funding for providers on the frontlines of the coronavirus pandemic. Under this Phase 3 General Distribution allocation, providers that have already received Provider Relief Fund payments will be invited to apply for additional funding that considers financial losses and changes in operating expenses caused by the coronavirus. Previously ineligible providers, such as those who began practicing in 2020 will also be invited to apply, and an expanded group of behavioral health providers confronting the emergence of increased mental...

American Federation of Teachers President Randi Weingarten on House COVID-19 Relief Package | site |




(October 2, 2020) - - Today, October 2, 2020, the American Federation of Teachers (AFT) published the following information: WASHINGTON—American Federation of Teachers President Randi Weingarten issued the following statement in response to the U.S. House of Representatives passing another COVID-19 relief package: “While we wish a speedy recovery for the president and first lady, and all those who have been affected in the White House and in Republican leadership by this newest COVID-19 outbreak, this makes abundantly clear that the pandemic is not over. The relief our communities need is real. While our country grapples with crisis after crisis, Speaker Nancy Pelosi and House Democrats have worked tirelessly to secure extended support for the people who need it: families worrying about how to pay their rent, parents worrying about how to keep their...