Had a little glitch somewhere with the email system yesterday. Some newsletters did not hit until today — including mine! Apologies for it being a day late. Here’s Saturday's COVID-19 update (in case it doesn’t hit until Sunday!):
Here are some details about the U.S. Department of Agriculture's announcement yesterday of the Coronavirus Food Assistance Program, a $19 billion downpayment of support for our farm families, producersand rural communities in response to the COVID-19 outbreak. More funding will be included in the next major package that Congress will likely pass in May. (Not to be confused with the additional funding Congress may pass this coming week for the Paycheck Protection Program.) Using funding authorized by the CARES Act, the USDA will take several actions to assist producers, including:
$16 billion in direct support to farm families and ranchers based on losses for producers where prices and supply chains have been impacted by the outbreak.
$3 billion in purchases of meat, produce and dairy products, while working with distributors and wholesalers to provide these products to food banks, community and faith based organizations, and other non-profits serving Americans in need.
Other resources, such as $873 million in available Section 32 funding, will also be used to purchase agricultural products for food banks.
More information on CARES Act stimulus payments for veterans: the IRS announced yesterday that veterans and their beneficiaries who receive Compensation and Pension (C&P) benefit payments from VA will receive a $1,200 Economic Impact Payment withno further action needed on their part. Exact timing of the payments is not yet determined, but the IRS and VA are working around the clock to complete the necessary programming to get the payments out the door and into veterans' hands as soon as possible. More info from the IRS available here.
An update from N.C.'s Division of Employment Security, responsible for processing and paying unemployment claims. We've heard from many residents who have had trouble accessing the online system and are unable to get through via phone as well. DES is adding staff and opening new call centers to respond to the unprecedented surge in claims. They will have tripled their pre-outbreak workforce by the end of next week. Additionally:
This week, DES completed implementation of the Federal Pandemic Unemployment Compensation program, which pays an additional $600 in weekly unemployment insurance to eligible claimants. Eligible North Carolinians are now receiving these payments, which are slated to last no longer than thru July 31 at the latest.
DES estimates its online filing system will be ready to accept claims around April 25 for Pandemic Unemployment Assistance, the program for individuals not eligible for regular unemployment insurance like independent contractors.
One provision of the CARES Act that didn't receive much attention: individuals and families can now use Health Savings Account (HSA) dollars to purchase over-the-counter (OTC) medications. Previously, OTC medications were only qualified medical expenses if you had a prescription or doctor's note. Now, you can use your HSA dollars to purchase certain OTC drugs and medications, like aspirin, heartburn medication, allergy medication, etc., without a doctor’s prescription. This flexibility extends to flexible spending accounts (FSAs) and health reimbursement accounts (HRAs) as well. It's a small but important way needed medications are being made more affordable for families in the midst of the crisis.
The Columbus County Health Department is regularly updating its Facebook page with the latest news about the COVID-19 outbreak in the county. As of this afternoon, the total number coronavirus cases is 58.
The N.C. Department of Health and Human Services has an informative flyer for Medicaid beneficiaries on telehealth services, which allows you to see your doctor remotely, without visiting a hospital or doctor's office. Telehealth is an important way you can receive medical services without putting yourself and others at risk of COVID-19 infection.
Note: last month, the Trump Administration announced expanded access to telehealth services for Medicare beneficiaries, as well. Learn more here.
For today's good news story, I'm highlighting the first responders in Columbus County who organized a 36-vehicle parade of fire trucks and EMS vehicles in front of Columbus Regional Healthcare on Thursday. It was a way for police, fire and EMS personnel to show their appreciation of their fellow workers on the front lines of combating the COVID-19 outbreak. We are truly blessed to have so many dedicated individuals protecting us, and supporting one another, through the crisis.
