Senators Roger Wicker (R-MS), Tina Smith (D-MN), Doug Jones (D-AL), and Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-MS) have introduced bipartisan legislation that would waive the Small Business Administration’s (SBA) Affiliation Rules for the small health-care facilities, the PPP Access for Rural Hospitals Act (S. 4217). This bill would enable the facilities to qualify for Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loans. The Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act established the PPP to give immediate relief to small businesses. In addition to the more immediate concerns related to COVID-19, hospitals have lost significant revenue because of having to stop non-emergency and elective procedures. Therefore, providing PPP to smaller rural hospitals will allow them to continue to employ healthcare workers and provide access to necessary healthcare services in rural communities.
