Congress Plans Next COVID-19 Relief Legislation

Dear Schiff Dental Clients
Good evening to all!
We are here for you!

Dr. Gehani, President of the American Dental Association sent this Issues Alert to all ADA members in which he asks them to reach out to their members of Congress to advocate for policy priorities that will benefit dentists, their employees and their patients.”

Please note, the ADA’s position on “when should the clock start running for the use of the PPP Loan Proceeds”, and the possibility of using your expenditures for your PPE Costs as part of the PPP Loan Forgiveness and / or a Income Tax Credit. This letter was sent to Congress by the ADA

We at Schiff are urging all of our clients to click on the “hyper link” embedded in the ADA e mail and for you to contact your members of Congress , and share with him / her how you feel about the current PPP Loan Process and the related expenditures for PPE Costs

We are proud to be working with the ADA on these policies. The ADA remains at the forefront to do what is “right” for the Dental Community.

 

Many thanks
My best to all!
Stay well!
Allen

Issues Alert  
Congress Plans Next COVID-19 Relief Legislation
As many states begin the reopening process, Congress will also be returning to Washington, D.C. to deliberate on the next legislative package in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Our 163,000 members came together to ensure that Congress included our dental concerns in the previous package, the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act, and now we need your help once again!

We expect the next bill to expand on some of the provisions in the CARES Act, as well as address other concerns and issues brought forth by the pandemic. We are asking Congress to include the following provisions in the next phase of economic stimulus and COVID-19 relief legislation:

  • Give small businesses increased flexibility within the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) for which they seek forgiveness for the PPP loans. This will allow small businesses to make more appropriate decisions about staffing and payroll based on when they plan to fully reopen.
  • Ensure adequate oversight over the distribution and loan forgiveness provisions in the CARES Act for PPP loans. This will guarantee that only those small businesses that were economically distressed as a result of the pandemic receive the funds and forgiveness.
  • Intensify the production of personal protective equipment (PPE) and focus its distribution to dentists and health care providers who are treating emergency cases or near-emergency cases now and in the future without an adequate supply of N95 masks and face shields. This will help the dental team to continue to practice in a safe environment for themselves and their patients.
  • Provide tax credits or allow PPP funds to be used for the purchase of additional PPE and safety improvements to the office. This will assist financially stressed practices in providing an additional layer of safety and protection.
  • Extend the Department of Health and Human Services’ discretionary authority during public health emergencies to provide targeted liability protections for providers who administer FDA-authorized COVID-19 diagnostic tests within their scope of practice until the end of 2020. This will expand the nation’s capacity to screen patients for COVID-19 outside of already burdened hospital emergency departments.
  • Permit nonprofit dental and medical organizations to utilize the PPP or future small business loan programs. This will ensure that non-profit medical and dental associations can continue to serve as a trusted resource for their health care professionals and patients.

Please click here to let your members of Congress know how important these provisions are for your dental practice, patients and our profession as a whole.

Thank you for your continued advocacy. Together, we will make a difference!

Stay well,
Chad P. Gehani, DDS
President