Patients: Tell the Senate to pass COVID-19 Phase 4 legislation

As the country continues to grapple with the COVID-19 pandemic, the House has taken the first step by passing its version of “phase four” coronavirus relief legislation. Now it's the Senate's turn and they are expected to introduce their plan in the coming weeks.

As Senators consider how they will approach a coronavirus relief bill package to confront this emergency of extraordinary—and yet, unknown—proportions, the AMA strongly urges they take critical steps to protect patient access to care by preserving the viability of physician practices as part of the nation's essential health care system.

Specifically, it is important that the Senate's legislation include:

• Protection of patient access to care by continued direct financial support and small business loan access to help sustain physician practices so they can stay on the front line in the battle against COVID-19
• Continued support for the expansion of telehealth services to improve access to care for patients with ongoing health care needs as well as for COVID-19. Including coverage for telephone services, which is particularly important for patients with limited technological resources in their homes
• Additional support for resident physicians and medical students as they're rushed into hospitals and emergency rooms across the country to help combat the growing pandemic
• Ramping up the production of personal protective equipment (PPE) to combat the desperate shortages currently faced by health care providers

The House got the ball rolling for this latest round of crucial COVID-19 stimulus, but now the Senate must step up to finish the job. Much has been done in the battle to curb the pandemic, but the catastrophic damage has taken an undeniable toll. Stimulus relief to date has helped, but is far from sufficient and every day that goes by without Congress passing a complete package and sending it to the President's desk is a stark reminder of how much more must be done to protect America's patients and those that are on the front lines taking care of them.

Please contact your Senators today and tell them that their phase four coronavirus relief legislation must include the physician and patient protections outlined above.

Dear Senator/Representative,

Thank you for recently passing the CARES Act. As the Senate considers next steps on any additional COVID-19 legislation, I strongly urge the Senate to take additional steps to help protect and expand access to care for patients by supporting physician practices as a critical part of the nation's essential health care system. Any additional COVID-19 relief package must include:

• Protection of patient access to care by continued direct financial support and small business loan access to help sustain physician practices so they can stay on the front lines

• Continued support for the expansion of telehealth services to improve access to care for patients with ongoing health care needs

• Additional support for resident physicians and medical students as they're rushed into hospitals and emergency rooms across the country to combat the pandemic

• Ramp up the production of personal protective equipment (PPE) to address shortages currently faced by health care providers I urge you to ensure that any additional COVID-19 relief legislation includes these additional protections for patients and providers.

Thank You!