Rep. LaMalfa Statement on HHS Distribution of $30 Billion to Medicare Providers, Hospitals

WASHINGTON, April 11 -- Rep. Doug LaMalfa, R-California, issued the following news release:

Congressman Doug LaMalfa (R-Richvale) issued the following statement after the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) issued $2,920,960,733 of relief to Medicare healthcare providers in California. This comes after HHS distributed $30 billion of the $100 billion allocated to healthcare providers in the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Stability (CARES) Act on April 10, 2020. To expedite providers getting money as quickly as possible, $30 billion is being distributed immediately proportionate to providers' share of Medicare fee-for- service reimbursements in 2019. These initial payments do not include Medicare Advantage or Medicaid providers, but HHS and the Administration have signaled that they will receive distributions from the remaining $70 billion in the coming days.

LaMalfa said: "I commend the Trump Administration for quickly distributing money to healthcare providers serving on the frontlines during this pandemic. However, the remaining $70 billion must target rural communities and Medicaid providers that don't have as many resources, even during normal years. My office will continue working with HHS to confirm that Medicaid and rural providers receive adequate aid so that they can continue to give their patients testing and treatment."

Congressman Doug LaMalfa is a lifelong farmer representing California's First Congressional District, including Butte, Glenn, Lassen, Modoc, Nevada, Placer, Plumas, Shasta, Sierra, Siskiyou and Tehama Counties.