Follow ACMA
Twitter Facebook Linkedin Instagram
v
GO
Updates & Calls to ActionMake a Donation
PUBLIC POLICY UPDATES

Public Policy Update: COVID-19 Capitol Hill Initiatives


Posted on: 3/17/2020

As indicated in the previous update, the House successfully passed the second coronavirus response bill on Saturday evening that focuses new resources on covering testing for the insured and uninsured and supports paid time off for parents whose children are out of school and certain other employees. However, yesterday evening after a full day of bipartisan negotiations, the House passed technical corrections that made some substantial changes to the original bill passed over the weekend. The biggest adjustment is that the emergency leave that grants an additional 10 week leave at a reduced rate of 2/3rds regular salary (beyond the two week paid leave) now only applies to individuals who need to care for a child who is either sick or for whom childcare is unavailable due to the COVID-19. This requirement now applies to all employers of over 50 employees.

Currently, the House Representatives is in recess and its Members are already back in their home districts (the technical fix bill was passed via a unanimous consent procedure, meaning an in-person vote was unnecessary). The Senate is still at work in Washington this week and is currently working to meld the bill just passed by the House with a third response bill (which remains undrafted at this time) aimed at larger economic impacts. The resulting stimulus and response package would be the largest in U.S. history, totaling over $1 trillion in support to the American people and economy. At the moment, additional support could look like the following: $50 billion for the airline industry, $250 billion for small-business support, $500 billion for a payroll tax holiday, and $250 billion for direct federal payments to families and individuals. These numbers are very fluid and could continue to rise as the White House negotiates with Senate Republicans and Democrats.

At the same time, Senate Democrats are currently pitching a package of at least $750 billion that would include emergency aid for hospitals, expanded unemployment insurance, more funds for small business, help with childcare, and food assistance for seniors.

In a separate action today, Treasury Secretary Steve Mnuchin announced that families and small businesses can defer tax payments for 90 days, but are still asking Americans to file by the April 15th deadline. This covers a broad range of Americans, including small businesses that file as individuals who owe up to $1 million, and other categories of small businesses, sole proprietors, and corporations owing up to $10 million. Penalties and interest that would otherwise apply during this nearly three-month period will be waived, offering up a large amount of liquidity to the economy at a crucial point in the fight against the coronavirus.

The current response package is primarily focused on the healthcare concerns and immediate potential life-or-death impacts. Through various mechanisms, the bill covers the costs of testing for both insured and uninsured individuals. To slow the spread of the virus, the bill mandates paid sick leave and family leave. Eligible employees are granted two weeks paid leave and up to 10 additional weeks of job-protected emergency leave. This can be due to their own illness or to care for an at-risk family member or to care for a child who no longer can go to school or if a child-care provider is unavailable due to the coronavirus.

A lot of these proposals are in flux as negotiations continue. Other provisions in discussion include large-scale public works projects, tweaks to the EB-5 visa program, and tariff relief (the U.S. is currently still imposing tariffs on multiple countries). Most options for relief and response are on the table still and prior political and ideological positions regarding deficits and spending are out the window.

Return to Legislative Postings

Announcements

Save the Date | 2025 Leadership and Physician Advisor Conference

The 2025 Leadership and Physician Advisor Conference is November 12-14 in Boston, MA! Health plans and providers, this conference has everything you need.
Save the date!

SAVE THE DATE | ACMA 2026 National Conference

Join us for ACMA 2026 National Conference, April 20-23, 2026 in Orlando, FL. Don't miss out on the premier case management and transitions of care conference of the year!
Experience ACMA at National!

Share Your Research | Collaborative Case Management

Do you have a project or measurable initiative you've instituted at your organization? Have you conducted research on a current issue in the field? Share your experiences and results with your professional community! Email your proposal or questions: vmatthews@acmaweb.org.
Learn more!

Now Accepting Presentations for Chapter Conferences

We are now accepting presentations for upcoming ACMA chapter conferences. If you have a unique solution, intervention or strategy to improve case management, this is a great opportunity to share your knowledge and be a part of ACMA's national-caliber education at the local level. There is no deadline to submit; presentations will be accepted throughout the year so you can prepare a submission as your schedule allows.
Submit a presentation!

Care Transitions Today Podcast

Our upcoming series, Case by Case, is co-presented by the American Case Management Association (ACMA) and the Association of Physician Leadership in Care Management (APLCM). In the Case by Case series, we delve deep into real-world medical cases, sharing experiences, best practices, and innovative approaches to patient care. Led by returning experts Dr. Rebecca Severe and Dr. Sweta Singh, along with rotating guest panelists, our hosts bring you a new case study, offering a unique learning opportunity for health care professionals at all levels of experience. Learn more!

Get ACMA News in the Palm of Your Hand

Join the conversation with ACMA! Text the keyword ACMA to 844-554-2497 to stay up to date on all the latest news and announcements, delivered straight to your phone!

Karen Vanaskie Scholarship Fund

Karen Vanaskie was one of case management's brightest and most dedicated professionals. She was serving as Secretary / Treasurer on the ACMA National Board of Directors at the time of her unexpected passing on June 21, 2024.

At the request of Karen's family, ACMA has set up the Karen Vanaskie Scholarship Fund. Karen was passionate about the need for case management certification. She actively supported her staff in pursuing the Accredited Case Manager (ACM) Certification. To continue her legacy, this scholarship fund will cover the cost of their ACM certification application fee for those to whom it is awarded. We believe this continues Karen's legacy.

To apply for the scholarship, click here. For eligibility details, please see below.

To donate to the scholarship fund in Karen's memory, click here.

2024 National Survey Results are Live!

ACMA and APLCM are proud to announce the latest iterations of the National Case Management and Transitions of Care Survey and the Physician Leaders in Care Management Survey, which have been the only source of comprehensive data for the case management industry since 2001. This ongoing research incorporates over 20 years of data, offering invaluable insights into the evolving landscape of case management, transitions of care, and physician advising. Access the full reports through your ACMA and APLCM member portals!

SAVE THESE DATES | National Case Management Week

2025 - October 12-18
2026 - October 11-17
2027 - October 10-16
2028 - October 8-14

American Case Management Association
17200 Chenal Parkway Ste 300 #345
Little Rock, AR 72223
Phone: 501-907-ACMA (2262)
Fax: 501-227-4247