Dear Speaker Pelosi, Leader McConnell, Leader McCarthy, and Leader Schumer:
The American Medical Association and undersigned state medical societies and national physician specialty organizations appreciate the recent actions taken by Congress and the Administration to help physicians, other health care clinicians, and hospitals on the frontlines of care meet the demands of the rapidly evolving COVID-19 pandemic. In particular, passage of H.R. 748, the “Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act” (CARES Act), was a meaningful step in preserving the health care infrastructure during today’s crisis and beyond. As you consider next steps and any “phase four” coronavirus relief bill package to confront this emergency of extraordinary—and yet, unknown— proportions, we strongly urge you to take additional steps to protect patient access to care by preserving the viability of physician practices as part of the nation’s essential health care system.
