March 22 Update from Congressman Ted Deutsch
Dear Friend,
I wanted to share important updates from local, state, and national officials about our united front against the coronavirus.
On Saturday, I hosted a telephone town hall for constituents. If you missed the call, click here to listen.
My next town hall is on Sunday, March 29 at 1:00 p.m. To RSVP for the call, please fill out the form here.
Below you will find useful information and resources to help you and your family manage through this crisis.
Quick Facts
If you live in Broward County, you can call this hotline to have your questions answered: 954-357-9500.
If you live in Palm Beach County, you can call this information line with your questions: 561-712-6400.
The Sun Sentinel posted drive-through testing sites in South Florida here.
Please be aware of financial scams. You can learn more and report them here.
Legislative Updates
Phase III
Our priority must be getting help to families, workers, small business owners, health care professionals and first responders, nonprofits, schools, and students.
Congress must offer American households direct payments to give families the support they need in this time. As we increase testing we will learn of many more cases in our communities. This will require additional closures to help control the spread of the virus and will have a big impact on our economy. We must provide direct assistance to families to ensure that they can bear the burden of these closures.
I’m also fighting to protect the ability of small businesses to fight through these enormous challenges. We must protect every American family from the impact of the preventive actions we are taking to save lives. We are urgently working to finalize the legislation, and I will update you when we do.
Phase I & II
On March 6, President Trump signed the first funding bill of $8.6 billion passed by a bipartisan Congress.
On March 18, President Trump signed into law the bipartisan Families First Coronavirus Response Act (H.R. 6201), which will make it easier for all Americans to do what it takes to work together to slow the spread of the coronavirus, including:
Free testing for coronavirus: All individuals who need a test, including those with private insurance, Medicare, Medicaid, CHIP, VA, FEHBP, and TRICARE, as well as the uninsured, will have access at no cost.
Paid emergency leave: The bill provides two weeks of paid sick leave and up to three months of job-protected leave to allow workers to follow quarantine recommendations and care for their family members impacted by the virus.
Enhanced unemployment insurance: It extends emergency unemployment insurance to help cover workers who are furloughed or quarantined due to an outbreak in their workplaces
Food security: It expands food assistance through the Women Infants and Children (WIC) program, food banks, Meals on Wheels, SNAP, and provides electronic benefit transfer amounts to families who would usually receive free and reduced-price meals at school
Health security: It invests additional federal funding into Medicaid to give states the option to expand Medicaid coverage for COVID-19 testing.
Other Actions I’ve Taken:
This crisis requires all of us working together. That's why, from the start, I have been in regular contact with our local leaders, state leaders, and the White House. I worked with the White House to extend the tax filing deadline and to focus Justice Department efforts to stop scammers preying upon the vulnerable.
This week, I called on Governor DeSantis to issue a statewide shelter in place order. Without adequate testing, an approved treatment, or vaccine we have to do more to prevent the spread of the virus in our state.
I also wrote letters to the Trump Administration to demand that it drop the lawsuit to overturn the Affordable Care Act and to expand access to telehealth services.
On Saturday, I joined a letter to House Leadership stating that any future stimulus must include strong support for our first responders. They’re leading the charge against this pandemic and need lots of federal help.
I also joined my colleagues in a letter to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services encouraging the agency to redefine telemedicine so that more facilities and medical professionals can qualify to receive funds for these services.
Last week, I called on Governor DeSantis to help unemployed Floridians and small business owners by increasing unemployment benefits, extending the time period for benefits, and issuing COVID-19-specific guidance to help Floridians apply.
Testing for COVID-19
Broward Health is now offering mobile, drive-through testing for our community. Click here for their criteria and how to make an appointment.
I have been working with state officials to offer drive-through testing in southern Palm Beach County as well.
Like many of you, I have been extremely frustrated by the lack of information on how to get tested for the coronavirus. We aren’t testing nearly enough to know how far the virus is spreading in Florida. I have been pressing state and federal authorities to make more testing available in Florida.
The State of Florida continues to urge people to call their health providers or county health departments if they are concerned that they may have the virus.
National & State Guidelines
We all have a responsibility to do our part in stopping the spread of Coronavirus. Please remember to:
Stay home whenever possible.
Practice good hygiene.
Avoid social gatherings of 10 or more people.
Avoid dining-in or drinking at bars, restaurants, and food courts.
Do not visit nursing homes or retirement or long-term care facilities unless to provide critical assistance.
Federal Small Business Disaster Loans
The Small Business Administration Disaster Loan Program is currently available to small business owners and nonprofits that experienced economic damage as a result of COVID-19. Learn more about these loans and how to apply here.
Florida Small Business Emergency Bridge Loans
The Florida Small Business Emergency Bridge Loan Program is currently available to small business owners located in all Florida counties statewide that experienced economic damage as a result of COVID-19. Learn more about these loans and how to apply here.
Federal Tax Information
The deadline to file federal income taxes for families and small businesses has now been moved to July 15, 2020. All taxpayers and businesses will have this additional time to file and make payments without interest or penalties.
Tele-Health
I have been encouraging insurers to cover tele-health to help improve access to care during this crisis.
Medicare
Medicare has temporarily expanded its coverage of telehealth services to respond to the current Public Health Emergency. This will help ensure beneficiaries are able to visit with their doctor from home, without having to go to a doctor’s office or hospital, which puts you and others at risk of exposure to COVID-19. Learn more here.
Florida Blue
During this crisis, Florida Blue’s network of primary care doctors and specialists will be able to treat patients virtually at their normal office visit rates.
Teladoc virtual care can be easily accessed by members through the Florida Blue website and through the Florida Blue app. Additionally, the Teladoc app can be downloaded or members can call Teladoc directly at 800-835-2362. Teladoc offers care in both English and Spanish.
COVID-19 Public Website and Call Center
Please visit the Florida Department of Health’s dedicated COVID-19 webpage for information and guidance regarding COVID-19 in Florida.
For any other questions related to COVID-19 in Florida, please contact the DOH’s dedicated COVID-19 Call Center by calling 1-(866) 779-6121. The Call Center is available 24 hours a day. Inquiries may also be emailed to COVID-19@flhealth.gov.
County Health Departments
If you're concerned that you may have contracted the coronavirus, please contact your healthcare professional or county health department:
Broward County: 954-467-4700
Palm Beach County: 561-840-4500
Miami-Dade County: 305-324-2400
School Meal Programs:
This week, the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services worked with county school boards across the state to launch meal sites that will help feed hungry families while schools are closed.
Families who receive free and reduced-price meals may search for the most convenient location by using the Summer Breakspot website.