Congress Must Press Biden Administration for Answers on COVID Aid

Argentum President and CEO James Balda writes in Morning Consult to note that America is now spending trillions of dollars to combat the impact of COVID-19 and urge Capitol Hill lawmakers to ensure the money is getting where it's needed most. In March of last year, Congress passed the CARES Act that includes $178 billion in a Provider Relief Fund (PRF) to help front-line health care operators and caregivers. "Far too little of that relief has been distributed to the providers who care for some of our nation's most vulnerable," Balda laments, "and the House Energy & Commerce Committee has an opportunity this morning to find out how this can be corrected." House Energy & Commerce Committee members should question Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra for answers about why targeted PRF disbursements have not been provided to assisted-living caregivers. In addition, lags in payments and denials of claims have become increasingly common. Congress should also ask Becerra for greater transparency and push for an appeals process to allow claims that may have been underpaid or denied — an opportunity to be corrected.