Schneider Legislation and Priorities Included in House’s Next Coronavirus Relief Package

Today, Congressman Brad Schneider (D-IL) praised the introduction of the Heroes Act, the House's next legislative package to respond to the severe public health and economic consequences of the coronavirus crisis.

"The scale of the coronavirus crisis requires big and bold action to protect the lives and livelihoods of the American people," said Schneider. "While I am continuing to study the released legislative text of the Heroes Act, I am very pleased the bill contains several provisions I have previously introduced as standalone legislation or championed since the beginning of the crisis. These provisions include creating a ‘supply chain czar' to centralize our nation's medical supply response and alleviate PPE shortages, eliminating the punishing SALT deduction cap, allowing public employers to access emergency paid leave tax credits, and supporting health care providers and expanding our pool of health care workers."

Specifically, the Heroes Act contains legislative language and several provisions previously introduced by Schneider, including:

Establish Medical Supply Chain Coordinator: Dating to the early stages of the COVID pandemic, Schneider has repeatedly called for the Administartion to appoint a "supply chain czar" to centralize the authorities of the federal government to better manage our medical device supply chain, in particular for PPE and testing. He raised the issue in hearings with both HHS Sec. Azar (February 27) and Treasury Sec. Mnuchin (March 4). In April, Schneider led a caucus letter to House leadership, requesting subsequent stimulus packages call for the creation of a medical supply chain director or "czar," empowered with the authority to survey states and hospitals, and produce, procure, and allocate critical supplies based on need. The Heroes Act builds on this request, requiring the President to appoint a Medical Supplies Response Coordinator with similar authorities.

Eliminate Cap on State and Local Tax (SALT) Deduction. The Heroes Act would eliminate the $10,000 cap on the deduction for state and local taxes for taxable years beginning on or after January 1, 2020 and on or before December 31, 2021. Schneider previously helped introduce legislation H.R. 5377, Restoring Tax Fairness for States and Localities Act, which would repeal the cap. It passed the House in December 2019.

Allow Public Employers to Access Emergency Paid Leave Tax Credits. Last month, Schneider introduced legislation, the Supporting State and Local Leaders Act, to remove the exclusion of federal, state, and local governments from the paid sick and FMLA tax credits from the Families First Coronavirus Response Act. Under current law, only private employers are eligible for these tax credits. Schneider's legislation is included in the Heroes Act.

Fix Loan Repayment Terms for Hospitals and Doctors. REP. Schneider introduced the Medicare Accelerated and Advance Payments Improvement Act to lower exorbitant interest rates and ease repayment terms for loans to hospitals, physicians, and other health providers made by the federal government and save suffering providers billions of dollars nationwide. The Heroes Act includes this legislation.

Permanently Reauthorize Conrad 30 Program for Immigrant Physicians. Last May, Schneider previously introduced legislation (H.R. 2895) that would reauthorize the Conrad 30 program to allow foreign medical students who graduate on J-1 visas to remain in the United States if they practice in rural or other medically-underserved areas. The Heroes Act would permanently reauthorize and expand the Conrad 30 program.

Address Visa Backlog for Immigrant Physicians. Last week, Rep. Schneider introduced the bipartisan Healthcare Workforce Resilience Act to expand our health care workforce by reallocating visas to foreign-born doctors and nurses, as well as expedite their processing through the green card backlog. The Heroes Act would allow immigrant physicians stuck in the visa backlog to apply immediately if engaged in COVID-related work.

Provide Needed Flexibility for USCIS. In April, Schneider helped lead a letter to USCIS encouraging the agency grant greater flexibility to doctors currently in the U.S. on H-1B or J-1 visas so that their worksite is guided by COVID-related public health need rather than the restrictions of their visa. The Heroes Act would provide this flexibility, allowing hospitals and other employers of these doctors to allocate their workforce according to emergency demand.

Background:

• The text of The Heroes Act, H.R. 6800, is here.
• A one pager on the legislation is here.
• A section-by-section summary is here.
• A resource on the state and local relief provisions is here.

The legislation follows the Paycheck Protection Program and Health Care Enhancement Act enacted on April 24; the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act, enacted on March 27; the Families First Coronavirus Response Act, enacted on March 18; and the Coronavirus Preparedness and Response Supplemental Appropriations Act enacted on March 6.