COVID-19 March 24, 2020 Federal Update

Legislation
Supplemental III – “COVID-III”

The hope continues to be that a deal can come together, that a time agreement can be reached, and that the Senate can vote expeditiously – if not yesterday night, then certainly by today. Absent any deal, the Senate would vote on cloture on the motion to proceed to the COVID-III vehicle one hour after convening tomorrow.

If the Senate passes the package today, the House could pass by unanimous consent on Thursday. If unanimous consent isn’t achievable, the fallback is the suspension calendar on Friday. All of this is dependent on how quickly a deal is reached and text is released.


Process and Politics:

Multiple caucus conference calls were held yesterday and it seems that both caucuses are attempting to marshal their members toward acceptance of passing the bill by unanimous consent in the House. Speaker Pelosi and other House leadership have indicated they would be willing to pass the bill in the House under unanimous consent, but only if the end product is acceptable.


Policy:

Multiple updated drafts of the bill have been circulated yesterday. However, it’s unclear as of right now, as negotiations are still ongoing, what provisions in the draft bill are completely set and what is being further negotiated. As with previous big deals, nothing is final until everything is final . All policies previously discussed continue to be on the table and could be part of a final deal. CARES text (as of earlier today) here. Latest information indicates a final bill may include the following:

  • $1,200 in direct payments, $500 per child with income limitations and restriction;
  • Early withdrawals from retirement accounts without penalty;
  • Expansion of unemployment insurance (includes eligibility to self-employed, contract employees) for 4 months;
  • Delay in payroll taxes by one year, payable over two years;
  • Net Operating Loss from tax years 2018, 2019, or 2020 may be carried back five years;
  • Small business bridge loans to companies with 500 employees or fewer with a maximum loan of $10 million, administered by 7(a) lenders;
  • $100 billion for hospitals with $50 billion in extra support for combatting COVID-19;
  • Expansion of HSAs to cover over the counter medicine;
  • Telehealth flexibility;
  • Suspension of the Medicare sequester through December 31, 2020. 
  • Liability protections for doctors practicing across state lines;
  • Treasury-administered loans for distressed industries, including $50 billion for passenger airlines, $8 billion for cargo carriers, $10 billion for AIP, with restrictions and a certain amount of oversight (unclear what that is until we see text).

Passed Legislation

Supplemental II – Families First Coronavirus Response Act (HR 6201)

The Senate passed the bill 90-8 Wednesday afternoon and the President signed the bill into law that evening. Bill text here. Factsheet here. Bill section by section here. A summary of paid leave provisions, incorporating changes made by technical correction, is  here.

Supplemental I – Coronavirus Supplemental

Signed by the President March 6. Text here, summary here.


Members of Congress in Quarantine or Treatment

Tested Positive (3): Sen. Rand Paul (R-KY), Rep. Ben McAdams (D-UT), Rep. Mario Diaz-Balart (R-FL)

Currently Self-Quarantined (26): Rep. Paul Gosar (R-AZ), Rep. Julia Brownley (D-CA), Rep. Jason Crow (D-CO), Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-FL), Rep. Mario Diaz-Balart (R-FL), Rep. Doug Collins (R-GA), Rep. Steve Scalise (R-LA), Rep. Ann Wagner (R-MO), Rep. Sharice Davids (D-KS), Rep. Ben Ray Luján (D-NM), Rep. Kathleen Rice (D-NY), Rep. Kendra Horn (D-OK), Rep. Matt Cartwright (D-PA), Rep. Ben McAdams (D-UT), Rep. Gwen Moore (D-WI), Rep. Frederica Wilson (D-FL), Rep. Stephanie Murphy (D-FL), Rep. Drew Ferguson (R-GA), Rep. Joe Cunningham (D-SC), Rep. Tom Cole (R-OK), Rep. David Schweikert (R-AZ), Rep. Anthony Brindisi (D-NY), Rep. David Price (D-NC), Rep. Andy Kim (D-NJ), Sen. Rick Scott (R-FL), Sen. Cory Gardner (R-CO), Sen. Mike Lee (R-UT), Sen. Mitt Romney (R-UT)

Completed Quarantine (4): Sen. Ted Cruz (R-TX), Rep. Mark Meadows (R-NC), Sen. Lindsay Graham (R-SC), Rep. Don Beyer (D-VA)

Georgia Life Sciences Weighs In on PBM and 340B Policy

October 5, 2026
Georgia Life Sciences has submitted written comments to the Georgia House Study Committee on Pharmacy Benefits Managers and Consumers’ Access to Prescription Medications, encouraging greater transparency, accountability, and a focus on measurable patient benefit across the prescription drug system. The comments address both pharmacy benefit manager practices and the federal 340B Drug Pricing Program, emphasizing the importance of understanding where prescription drug savings accrue and whether those savings ultimately benefit patients. The Study Committee continues its work this fall as it develops recommendations for the Georgia General Assembly. Read Georgia Life Sciences’ full comments →

Georgia Life Sciences Joins National Coalition Calling for PAHPA Reauthorization

September 22, 2026
Georgia Life Sciences (GLS) has joined more than 80 organizations from across industry, academia, public health and the biosecurity community in calling on congressional leaders to fully reauthorize the Pandemic and All-Hazards Preparedness Act (PAHPA) before the end of 2026. Led by the Johns Hopkins Center for Health Security, the coalition urged congressional leaders to advance a comprehensive reauthorization of PAHPA, the federal framework that supports the nation’s ability to prepare for and respond to public health emergencies and other health security threats. First enacted in 2006, PAHPA established and strengthened critical components of the nation’s health security infrastructure, including the Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority (BARDA). The law also supports public-private partnerships involved in the research, development, manufacturing and procurement of medical countermeasures, including vaccines, therapeutics and diagnostics. PAHPA’s authorization expired in 2023 and key provisions have since continued through short-term extensions. The coalition is calling for a comprehensive reauthorization that provides greater stability and ensures the nation’s preparedness infrastructure can continue adapting to emerging biological, infectious disease and other health security threats. For the life sciences industry, these programs are particularly important. Partnerships between government and industry can help move promising technologies from research through development and manufacturing while maintaining capabilities needed to respond quickly during an emergency. The Biotechnology Innovation Organization (BIO), also a signatory to the letter, has identified several priorities for reauthorization, including continued authorization of BARDA, the Strategic National Stockpile, Project BioShield and the Pandemic Influenza Program, as well as incentives supporting the development of medical countermeasures. Georgia Life Sciences is proud to join organizations across the country in supporting a strong and sustainable national framework for health security, preparedness and biomedical innovation. Read the coalition letter and view the full list of signatories.

Georgia Life Sciences Urges Protection of Patient Access as Georgia Implements Medicaid Changes

September 14, 2026
Georgia Life Sciences has submitted comments to the Georgia Department of Community Health (DCH) regarding the Georgia Pathways to Coverage program and implementation of new federal Medicaid requirements. As Georgia prepares for these changes, Georgia Life Sciences is urging state leaders to prioritize continuity of care and minimize unnecessary administrative barriers that could delay or disrupt access to medically necessary treatment . This is particularly important for Georgians living with serious, chronic, rare, and medically complex conditions who may rely on ongoing medications, diagnostics, therapies, medical technologies, specialty care, and coordinated treatment plans. Even temporary disruptions in coverage can interrupt care and create additional challenges for patients and families. In its comments, Georgia Life Sciences encouraged DCH to protect continuity of coverage during eligibility and redetermination processes, provide patients and caregivers with clear and timely information, minimize unnecessary administrative burdens, and establish appropriate safeguards when a coverage disruption could interrupt an established course of treatment. “As Georgia implements these new federal requirements, we want to ensure that patients remain at the center of the process,” said Maria Thacker Goethe, MPH, President & CEO of Georgia Life Sciences. “Administrative changes should not become barriers between patients and the care they need. Protecting continuity of care is particularly important for Georgians managing serious and complex health conditions.” Read Georgia Life Sciences’ full comments to DCH here.
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