Federal Coronavirus Stimulus Package Covers 7 Major Areas

Oregon State Senator James I. Manning Jr. Democrat - District 7According to Oregon State Senator James I. Manning Jr., following is a summary of what the Federal Coronavirus Stimulus Package looks like. We will see the final version once the president signs it into law.

1. Health Care Funds  

• $100 billion to create a program that will provide direct aid to health care institutions on the front line (e.g. hospitals, public entities, nonprofits, and Medicare and Medicaid enrolled suppliers and institutional providers) 
• $16 billion invested in the Strategic National Stockpile supplies of pharmaceuticals, personal protective equipment (PPE) and other medical supplies. These supplies are to be distributed to state and local health agencies and hospitals. 
• $3.5 billion for the Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority to work on the production of vaccines and related treatments 
• $250 million to expand the Hospital Preparedness Program’s support of emergency preparedness. This includes the Special Pathogens Training and Education Center (NETEC) as well as state and local special pathogens treatment centers. 
• $1 billion for the Defense Production Act to bolster domestic supply chains so that industry may increase production of PPE and permit federal, state and local health agencies to purchase such equipment. 
• $4.3 billion to support federal, state and local public health agencies to prevent, prepare for and respond to the coronavirus. This includes infection control, mitigation measures, preparedness and response activities. 
• $200 million to assist nursing homes with infection control and to support states’ efforts to prevent the spread of coronavirus in nursing homes. 

 2. Financial Assistance to Individuals & Aid to Impacted Business 

• Direct payment $1,200 to most individuals making up to $75,000, or $2,400 for couples making up to $150,000. The amount decreases for individuals with incomes above $75,000, and payments cut off for those above $99,000. 
• $562 million for the Small Business Administration to provide Economic Injury Disaster Loans to businesses that need financial support to keep their doors open and pay their employees. 
• $500 billion in loans for larger industries, including $25 billion for passenger airlines; $4 billion for carriers; $3 billion for aviation contractors and $17 billion for "businesses critical to maintaining national security.” An oversight board is created for monitoring these loans and a measure included prohibits companies owned by President Trump and his family from receiving federal relief. 
• $600 per week expansion in maximum benefit for unemployment and provides laid-off workers their full pay for four months. 

 3. General Disaster Relief 

• $45 billion for FEMA’s Disaster Relief Fund. Reimbursable activities may include medical response, personal protective equipment, National Guard deployment, coordination of logistics, safety measures and community services nationwide. 
• $400 million for FEMA grants, including: 
• $100 million Assistance to Firefighter Grants to provide personal protective equipment, supplies and reimbursements. $100 million for Emergency Management Performance Grants, which focus on emergency preparedness. $200 million for the Emergency Food and Shelter Program, which provides shelter, food and supportive services through local service organizations.
• $260 million for Navy operations and maintenance. Reports indicate this includes funds to support the deployment of the USNS Comfort hospital ship to New York City and the USNS Mercy to Los Angeles. 
• $1.5 billion for National Guard support to states and territories -$850 million for state and local law enforcement and jails to purchase PPE, medical supplies and pay overtime. 

4. Schooling, Housing and Childcare Resources 

• $30.75 billion for grants to provide emergency support to local school systems and higher education institutions to continue to provide educational services to students and maintain functionality. 
• $3.5 billion for the Child Care Development Block Grant to provide child care assistance to health care sector employees, emergency responders, sanitation workers and other workers deemed essential during the response to the coronavirus. 
• $7 billion for affordable housing and homelessness assistance programs. 

5. Utilities, Transit, Veterans and Food Assistance 

• $900 million for Low Income Housing Energy Assistance Program to help lower-income households with heating and cooling homes. 
• $25 billion in aid to transit systems to keep essential lines open and running. 
• $15.85 billion to veteran services to help treat those who test positive, purchase test kits, and procure PPE, and $590 million in dedicated funding to treat vulnerable veterans, including homeless veterans and those in VA-run nursing homes. 
• $450 million for The Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP) to assist food banks. 

6. Support for Tribal Communities 

• $1.03 billion to the Indian Health Service to support tribal health care system response efforts. 
• $100 million for the USDA Food Distribution Program for American Indian Reservations. 
• $453 million to assist tribes through the Bureau of Indian Affairs -$69 million to help tribal schools, colleges and universities through for the Bureau of Indian Education. 
• $300 million to the HUD Indian Housing Block Grant program. 

7. Elections and Additional State Assistance 

• $400 million for election security grants to help states prepare for the 2020 election cycle and any changes related to the pandemic (i.e. vote-by-mail). 
• $425 million to increase access to mental health services. 
• $150 billion in aid for states and local governments to address budget shortfalls related to the outbreak. 

For an update on COVID-19 from Oregon Health Authority, visit their webpage.