COVID-19
Senator Barrasso: ‘Time is of the Essence’
Published
5 years agoon
By
Ron Richter
U.S. Senator John Barrasso of Wyoming said that “time is of the essence” in reference to a $480 billion relief package that the U.S. Senate passed Tuesday. Sheridan Media’s Ron Richter has the details.
Senator Barrasso, Chairman of the Senate Republican Conference, said that the House must immediately pass the bill, and that there should be no more delaying the legislation. The relief package replenishes funding for the Paycheck Protection Program and provides funding for rural hospitals in Wyoming. Barrasso said rural hospitals need help right now, they are on the frontlines, caring for our communities and fighting this pandemic.
The COVID-19 pandemic has put an enormous strain on rural hospitals in America, as many have cancelled elective procedures, furloughed employees and continue to lose revenue as a result of the pandemic. The bill approved Tuesday by the Senate includes authorization of an additional $310 billion for the Paycheck Protection Program and over $75 billion for hospitals and health care providers that have been impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. The relief package allocates $25 billion for the expansion of testing for COVID-19. The House is expected to vote on the bill Thursday.
Dennis Fox
April 21, 2020 at 11:29 pm
It’s not the pandemic that’s putting a financial stain on rural hospitals, it’s the ban on elective surgeries. Governors could solve the problem tomorrow by lifting those bans. To date Sheridan’s hospital has had exactly ZERO Covid-19 patients. All bans, orders etc should be lifted ASAP so we can return to normal. Poverty kills more than disease. Congress throwing money at this problem is just making things worse.
Gary
April 23, 2020 at 1:42 am
Dennis, Wyoming has surpassed the state of Montana in confirmed COVID cases. Wyoming is roughly 1/half the population of Montana. That does not bode well.
Gary
April 23, 2020 at 1:39 am
Isn’t this the same John Barasso that said that Wyomingites have been self distancing for 130 years? So no real need for protecting one’s self? Wyoming surpassed confirmed COVID cases in Montana, who have twice the population. I don’t see how that bodes well. It would be advantageous if Mr. Barasso paid more attention to Wyoming than posing with Senator Mitch.