Coronavirus Update: April 24, 2020

April 24, 2020

Dear Friend,

Yesterday, I voted to provide additional economic relief for small businesses, extend critical funding to hospitals, health care providers and frontline health care workers and expand testing capabilities across America as we continue to fight COVID-19.

This latest, bipartisan response to the COVID-19 crisis will provide another round of urgently needed financial support to our communities. As we continue to address this unprecedented public health emergency, my colleagues and I remain committed to helping American families weather the financial impacts of the crisis and keeping our communities safe.

Here’s a recap of the latest news and information regarding COVID-19.

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Updates from Washington

  • Making Ventilators in Maryland: The Maryland Congressional Delegation urged President Donald Trump and General Motors (GM) to reopen the GM plant in White Marsh to help fulfill the company’s recent contract to produce ventilators and to supply our region with critical medical supplies to fight COVID-19.
     
  • Fighting for Veterans’ COVID-19 Benefits: The Delegation expressed concern about recent reports that loan servicers are not allowing veterans with VA Home Loans to access the loan forbearance provided by the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act. We called on the Trump Administration to protect veterans from unscrupulous lenders.
     
  • Demanding the Release of Federal Funding for Nursing Homes: The Delegation urged the Trump Administration to immediately distribute funds included in the CARES Act to help prevent the spread of COVID-19 in nursing homes.
     

Updates in Maryland

  • New Unemployment Insurance Online Application: The Maryland Department of Labor has launched a new, one-stop shop to apply for Unemployment Insurance online. Marylanders who are self-employed, independent contractors, gig workers, sole proprietors or individuals with insufficient work history can apply here.
     
  • Expanding Access to Grocery Delivery and Pick Up Services: The Delegation asked state officials and Maryland retailers to ensure that Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) recipients can access grocery delivery and pick-up services during this public health emergency.
     
  • Providing Legal Aid to Underserved Marylanders: The Delegation announced more than $422,000 in federal funding for Maryland Legal Aid (MLA) to provide legal services to low-income Marylanders. MLA will use this new federal funding to help Marylanders navigate legal problems stemming from the COVID-19 pandemic – including job losses, evictions and domestic violence.
     
  • Expanding Telehealth Services: The Delegation announced $664,606 in federal funding to help Anne Arundel Medical Center invest in video telehealth services as part of its COVID-19 response.
     

For regular updates and information about the coronavirus, you can follow me on Facebook and Twitter.

For a full list of coronavirus-related resources, please visit my website.
 

Sincerely,

00_JPSS_Signature
Congressman John Sarbanes
Maryland’s Third Congressional District

Issues: 
Health Care, Jobs & Economy