Updated: August 25, 2020
ASCA continues to work with the White House and various federal agencies to ensure that ASCs can fully support COVID-19 response efforts across the country. These letters demonstrate the issues ASCA and federal officials are confronting as we work together to define the services ASCs can provide and implement protections for ASCs that will enable them to continue to provide safe, high-quality care to patients.
ASCA and other healthcare organizations send a letter to congressional leaders supporting the Eliminating the Provider Relief Fund Tax Penalties Act (H.R. 7819 and S. 4525). If enacted, this legislation would ensure that Provider Relief Fund distributions provided in response to COVID-19 are not taxable.
ASCA and other professional medical associations send a letter to Congressional leadership emphasizing the need for patient-focused financial support so that their access to care is not interrupted.
ASCA sends a letter to Congressional leadership urging that additional financial support for ASCs and liability protection for providers be included in the fourth phase of legislation.
ASCA sends letter to the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). The letter asks that the FEMA COVID-19 Pandemic Supply Chain Task Force exercise caution when evaluation reallocation of PPE so that ASCs can remain available to perform overflow elective procedures.
ASCA sends letters to the US Department of the Treasury, the US Small Business Administration (SBA) and members of Congress urging that more ASCs to be eligible for Paycheck Protection Program loans.
ASCA sends a letter to the US Department of Health & Human Services (HHS) and the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) urging that assistance available through the Public Health and Social Services Emergency Fund in the CARES Act be directed to healthcare providers, such as ASCs, to ensure they remain viable settings of care.
ASCA sends letters to the US Department of the Treasury and the US Small Business Administration (SBA) urging ASCs to be eligible for Paycheck Protection Program loans and seeking clarification on application documents.
ASCA contacts the administration and Congress to present the steps that need to be taken for ASCs to remain viable and ways in which ASCs can support patient access to the care they need during the COVID-19 pandemic.
ASCA contacts HHS to share information highlighting the roles ASCs can play in combating COVID-19 and providing alternative settings for providing urgent and emergent surgical care for patients.