Baker-Polito Administration Announces New Health Care Resources, Small Business Relief, Other Efforts To Support COVID-19 Response

Baker-Polito Administration Announces New Health Care Resources, Small Business Relief, Other Efforts To Support COVID-19 Response

BOSTON – The Baker-Polito Administration today announced new actions to support the ongoing COVID-19 response, including new financial support for health care providers, expanded relief for small businesses, and a new federal waiver request to give the state expanded flexibility to respond to the public health emergency. The Administration also joined life sciences leaders to highlight a new partnership aimed at providing additional supplies for hospitals.

The Administration also announced new tax penalty relief for businesses, further action to limit the need for customers to visit the Registry of Motor Vehicles in person, and other initiatives to support the Commonwealth’s residents and communities throughout the COVID-19 outbreak.

Financial Support For Health Care Providers: The Administration’s COVID-19 Response Command Center continues to identify and prioritize efforts to ensure the Commonwealth’s health care system has the resources it needs to support the response to COVID-19. Today, the Administration announced a $200 million infusion in cash at MassHealth for critical, acute care and safety-net health care providers, as well as for certain health care providers required to help ensure that our members receiving care in the community or nursing facilities do not need to go to the hospital. These will be accelerated payments and cash advances for immediate, stopgap relief to ensure the front-line health care system is able to provide necessary resources to patients.

Emergency Supply Hub: Life sciences industry leaders joined the Administration today to highlight the new Massachusetts Life Sciences Emergency Supply Hub. MassBio, in partnership with MassMEDIC, the Massachusetts Health and Hospital Association, and the Conference of Boston Teaching Hospitals, launched the Supply Hub to help coordinate efforts aimed at bringing additional supplies and resources to the Commonwealth’s health care institutions as they test and treat patients with COVID-19. The initiative calls on life sciences and health care organizations in the state to donate supplies needed to combat COVID-19. MassBio will share information with the Department of Public Health to triage and connect supplies with those healthcare providers that need them.

New Drive-Through Testing Site: On Thursday, the Commonwealth’s first large-scale drive-thru COVID-19 testing site launched at CVS in Shrewsbury. The new site is the result of an ongoing partnership between the Baker-Polito Administration, the federal government, local health authorities and CVS. The site is designated for emergency personnel and first responders, expanding testing access to front line workers. Currently, this site is one of over 40 sites launching throughout the country over the next week, with test kits supplied by the federal government.

MassHealth Waiver & Other Requests: Massachusetts is filing a waiver request today with the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) that will give the state and its Medicaid program, MassHealth, more flexibility to respond to the COVID-19 public health crisis. If allowed, the waiver would enable the Commonwealth to fast-track MassHealth enrollment, streamline administrative requirements for providers, and deliver critically needed health care services easier during the COVID-19 emergency. Through the waiver request and other federal requests, the Commonwealth is seeking flexibility to address key areas of need:

• Allow for non-traditional sites of care to expand surge capacity, such as use of testing tents and overflow hospital sites

• Allow new providers, including out of state providers, a streamlined pathway to practice in the state including caring for MassHealth members

• Allow physician assistants to practice independently

• Provide flexibility to hospitals and skilled nursing facilities to meet increasing demand

• Expand MassHealth Hospital-Determined Presumptive Eligibility to all individuals – which MassHealth already expanded through a public health order last week – including children, older adults, and individuals who have received MassHealth benefits within the past 12 months

• Allow medications to be delivered to members, and waive a signature requirement for these prescriptions

• Waive face-to-face requirements for certain services, including Home and Community Based Services, and behavioral health evaluations for Schedule II-IV prescriptions

In addition, the Administration announced that MassHealth and the Health Connector will protect coverage for all individuals who have Medicaid coverage as of March 18, 2020 and for all individuals approved for coverage during the national emergency.

Expanded Small Business Resources: Earlier this week, the Administration announced a $10 Million Small Business Recovery Loan Fund to provide financial relief to small businesses and non-profits impacted by COVID-19. Today, the Administration announced that MassDevelopment’s Board of Directors will meet next week to vote on a partnership that will make an additional $10 million available for the Small Business Recovery Loan Fund.

The state-level emergency loan fund is aimed at providing crucial resources for small businesses that will supplement important federal relief. Governor Baker on Tuesday formally requested disaster relief from the federal Small Business Administration, and with this week’s announcement that that request had been granted, Massachusetts businesses impacted by COVID-19 may now apply for low-interest loans.

Tax Relief for Businesses: The Baker-Polito Administration is announcing tax penalty relief to support businesses affected by COVID-19. The Department of Revenue today announced that it will waive any late-file or late-pay penalties for returns and payment due for meals and room occupancy taxes between March 20 and May 31, 2020.

Limiting Need For In-Person RMV Visits: The Administration today is taking further action to limit the need for customers to visit the Registry of Motor Vehicles in person. Today, Governor Baker issued an order allowing the Registrar to extend vehicle registrations and modify the conditions of registrations, plates and titles. It also enables the waiver of certain inspection requirements.

Workforce Guidance For Schools: Earlier this week, Governor Baker ordered all elementary and secondary schools to close for educational purposes until April 6. Recognizing that local school districts employ a significant number of hourly employees, the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education today is issuing guidance to local school districts recommending they continue paying hourly employees, while suggesting they continue to engage in professional development.

Smoke Alarm Inspections: Governor Baker today issued an order making a change to the inspection statutes that require a smoke and carbon dioxide alarm inspection prior to a residential real estate transaction. The Order would permit the inspection to be deferred if the buyer contractually assumes responsibility for installing the detectors and the subsequent inspection happens within 90 days of the conclusion of the COVID-19 emergency.

全美亞裔總商會晤美部門首長、國會議員 商抗疫對策 爭紓困方案

                              (全美亞裔總商會新聞稿) 我們目前處于史無前例的風險，新冠狀病毒(COVID-19)影響到我們的日常生活和周圍的人群。 COVID-19大流行迅速發展的新形勢，極大地影響了亞裔商家和商業發展。 全美亞裔總商會(National ACE)如今比以往任何時候都更繼續完成其重要使命，繼續推動亞裔企業，商業發展及影響力。

              全美亞裔總商會由會長董繼玲會長領導，上週在國會山一連串的活動，為亞裔商家爭取權益。董事會成員Andrew Chau在眾議院小企業委員會上作了證詞，敘述冠狀病毒對亞裔中小企業的巨大影響。 並由會長董繼玲及主席吳嘉琳 在國會大廈與國會亞太裔小組成員會面，敦促國會立即採取行動，保護全國200萬名亞裔企業和超過350萬名他們雇用的員工。 出席國會議員，包括趙美心，劉雲平，Andy Kim，和Susie Lee  等  。

               全美亞裔總商會也繼續與白宮總統亞太裔委員會及聯邦政府進行溝通。並和休士頓亞洲商會一起支持白宮總統亞太裔委員會，與美國交通部部長趙小蘭，主席徐紹欽和60位亞裔商業和社區領導在休士頓舉行圓桌討論， 會中討論交通安全議題，並討論到冠狀病毒及其影響亞裔商業和社區。

              全美亞裔總商會並由會長董繼玲會長， 政策委員會主席吉米·弗格森(Jimmy Ferguson)  聯繫小型企業圓桌會議的成員，會見了中小企業管理局(Small Business Administration) 局長Jovita Carranza， 要求為受到冠狀病毒影響的亞裔企務尋求解決方案 。 SBA隨即宣佈他們將直接與各州官員合作，為受到大流行影響的小型企業提供高達200萬美元的經濟傷害災難貸款。 www.sba.gov

              全美亞裔總商會商會並與其他各個多元化商會的共同努力。 全美亞裔總商會與其他全國性多元化商會(美國非裔商會，美國西班牙裔商會，全國LGBT商會) 舉行了會議，討論了未來共同合作的戰略與方向。 所有商會共同致信國會領導，Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, Senate Democratic Leader, Speaker Nancy Pelosi, Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy 主張在整個危機中如何為我們各自的成員和合作夥伴提供保護和資源。信中表示，全力支持多元化中小企業成長。全國性多元化商會 代表代表美國多元化企業家和勞動力的一些最大的組織。組織共同帶來了超過9萬億美元的經濟影響，以及成千上萬的納稅，行業創新工作。鼓勵在跨部門多元化和包容性倡議中實現平等，努力確定各種業務之間的合作領域，並倡導支持公共和私營部門中多元化公司成長的政策：在危機時期為全國性多元化的業務提供支持。全國性多元化商會組織主要是，它們代表成千上萬的小型企業，並在全國范圍內僱用數十萬人。小型企業是為美國大多數勞動力提供工作的經濟引擎。減少經濟活動並威脅創造就業機會。根據牛津經濟研究院（Oxford Economics）進行的活動行業委員會（Events Industry Council）的《 2018年經濟意義研究》，每年在美國舉行的會議超過190萬次，參加人數超過250萬次   。這些會議為美國國內生產總值貢獻了超過4，460億美元，並直接支持了全國590萬個工作崗位。

             全美亞裔總商會並與全國三十個州級和地方商會合作夥伴舉行電話會議。 他們提供了關於冠狀病毒如何影響其組織，成員和當地企業的深刻見解。 仇外心理，種族主義，恐懼，以及感染新型冠狀病毒的真正威脅，都導致這種流行病對亞裔業務產生了不成比例的影響。

             總統宣佈發生國家緊急狀態，授權聯邦緊急事務管理局協調災難回應並援助各州和地方政府。 在華盛頓特區，在與特朗普政府談判之後，眾議院通過了大規模的冠狀病毒應對計畫，該計畫將為工人提供帶薪休假，擴大食品援助，並為患者免費提供廣泛的疾病檢測方法。 參議院宣佈，他們將在下周推遲休會，以完成刺激方案的工作，以供總統簽署。 眾議院小型企業委員會主席Nydia Velázquez引入了H.R.6268法案，從而提高了國會對危機的反應，該法案旨在由中小企業管理局制定一項新計畫，直接向受COVID-19疫情影響的小型企業提供貸款。

                全美亞裔總商會將繼續密切監視局勢，並透過全美各州及地方亞裔商會，在此艱難時期全力執行抗疫使命。(圖與文:全美亞裔總商會提供)

Baker-Polito Administration Activates Massachusetts National Guard to Support COVID-19 Response

(Boston Orange 編譯)麻州州長查理貝克(Charlie Baker)今(19)日下令，啟用2000名國家衛隊，來協助對抗COVID-19疫情。

查理貝克將要求國家衛隊在設備，後勤，倉儲及相關職責上支援州政府各機構。有需要的地方市鎮及州府機關，必須填交支援要求表。

Baker-Polito Administration Activates Massachusetts National Guard to Support COVID-19 Response

BOSTON – Governor Charlie Baker today activated the Massachusetts National Guard to support the Commonwealth’s response to the COVID-19 outbreak, representing a significant addition of supply chain resources available to the Commonwealth and its residents. 

Governor Baker’s order authorizes activation of up to 2,000 National Guard members across the Commonwealth, who will be tasked with supporting requests from state agencies for equipment, logistics, warehousing, and related duties. Local cities, towns, and state agencies should submit requests for support through the Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency.

“Activating the National Guard will help support our Administration’s efforts to keep residents safe and secure during the COVID-19 outbreak,” said Governor Charlie Baker. “The expertise of the Massachusetts National Guard will benefit our communities with logistical support and other assistance as we continue to respond to this crisis.”

The activation order reflects Governor Baker’s statutory authority to activate the Massachusetts National Guard under state active duty to provide necessary assistance to state and municipal civilian authorities. 

The Massachusetts National Guard is a diverse and highly trained force whose members live and work in communities across the Commonwealth. The Guard has a proven track record of success supporting civilian authorities during and after state emergencies, and its units frequently train side-by-side with state and local first responders, making them well-suited for domestic operations.

On March 10, Governor Baker declared a state of emergency, giving the Administration more flexibility to respond to the Coronavirus outbreak. The Administration will continue to update the public on further developments and residents are encouraged to consult both the Department of Health and the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention for the most up-to-date information. The latest information and guidance regarding COVID-19 is always available at mass.gov/COVID19.

昆士市規定髮廊、指甲店3月20日關門二週

(Boston Orange 編譯)昆士市市長柯奇(Tom Koch)和公衛局長Ruth Jones下令，根據麻州及聯邦政府在新型冠狀病毒(COVID-19)爆發期間訂立的”個人距離(personal distancing)”規定，從3月20日起至4月6日止，市內所有髮廊，按摩店，指甲沙龍，必須關門。

該禁令也適用於體育館，健身中心。

昆士市長柯奇表示，前述行業無法在州及聯邦政府規定的距離中，保持不和人接觸，要這些店鋪關門，是為了保護大眾健康，抑制病毒進一步擴散。

查詢詳情，可洽昆市府公共衛生局617-376-1273，或市長辦公室選民服務處617-376-1500。

以下為昆士市府通告

Closure of Personal Care Businesses Ordered

QUINCY – Based on the personal distancing guidelines set by state and federal governments amid the COVID-19 virus outbreak, Mayor Thomas Koch and Public Health Commissioner Ruth Jones ordered the closure of all hair salons, massage facilities, nail salons and tattoo studios as of midnight on Friday, March 20.  The order also applies to gyms and fitness centers.  Personal care services require close contact between individuals and cannot meet the social distancing protocols set by state and federal authorities, and the order is being made to protect the health and safety by helping to stop the further spread of the virus, Mayor Koch said. The order is effective until at least April 6.  “We do not take this action lightly, and every action we do take is based strictly on protecting the health and safety of our community – both practitioners and customers,” said Mayor Koch. “Together with Commissioner Jones, we believe this measure is in the best immediate interest of our City.”  Added Commissioner Jones:  “It is simply impossible for these kinds of businesses to safely abide by the social distancing guidelines at the heart of stemming the spread of this virus.  It’s absolutely the right decision from a public health perspective.”  Mayor Koch noted that he heard from a number of personal care businesses who had decided to close because of the inability to meet distancing guidelines, but felt many business owners wanted to wait for a uniform decision.  For more information, business owners can call the Quincy Health Department at 617-376-1273 or the Mayor’s Office of Constituent Services at 617-376-1500.