Summary of the Families First Corona Virus Aid Package – PL 116-127
Appropriates an additional $1.25 billion for the Department of Agriculture and Department of Health and Human Services for food programs
· $500 million augmentation to WIC
· $400 million for Commodity Foods Distribution
· Free and reduced school breakfasts and lunches will be available as commodity foods to the family.
· Waivers at state request for SNAP (Food Stamps), WIC and Commodity Foods so that individual families can receive bagged food packages, work requirements can be waived, and in person presence requirements during recertification can be waived
· $250 million for seniors and the disabled for home meals and congregate meals
Appropriates $1 billion for Covid 19 testing for the uninsured, $60 million for Veterans Programs for testing and treatment for Covid 19, $64 million for Indian Health Services for testing of Native Americans
· Private insurance must cover free testing for Covid 19
· Medicare must cover free testing for Covid 19
· Medicaid must cover free testing for Covid 19
· TriCare, Veterans and insurance for federal employees must cover free testing for Covid 19
· State Medicaid programs may cover the uninsured for Covid 19 testing with 100% federal financial participation
· States and territories get a 6.2% bump in their traditional federal Medicaid matching rates during the Covid 19 public emergency
Emergency paid sick leave will be available for the employees of businesses with 500 or fewer employees for up to two weeks if the individual has a Covid 19 diagnosis, or is quarantined. Emergency paid sick leave at 2/3rds pay will be available for up to three months if the employee is caring for an individual with a quarantine order or a child with no school or child care.
· The costs actually incurred by the employer or self insured individual shall be offset by a payroll tax credit or self-employed individual tax credit
These provisions only extend through the end of 2020. Estimated costs are $8 billion.
Prepared by: Lucien Wulsin
Dated: 4/16/20