Congressman TJ Cox (CA-21) said he secured $200 million in funding, in addition to funds provided by the CARES Act, to make telehealth more accessible to Central Valley communities.
Cox made the announcement in a letter to the Fresno Bee, in which he explained how the $2.2 trillion CARES Act would benefit central valley residents. The bill, which is aimed at providing relief to individuals and businesses negatively affected by the ongoing COVID-19 crisis, was signed into law March 27.
“Even in good times, large numbers of Valley families live paycheck-to-paycheck, so one of the most important components of this bill is a mandate that families get relief as soon as possible,” Cox said.
Government and state leaders have scrambled to pass legislation to soften the blow of the COVID-19 crisis. New legislation has sought to provide relief by providing funds for laid-off workers, hospitals and businesses.
Laid-off or furloughed Californians, for example, are eligible for up to six weeks of unemployment benefits from the state, with an extra $600 per week supplement from the CARES Act in the first four months of job separation, Cox said.
Cox said the Act also provides $200 billion for hospitals, community health clinics, and research and equipment; $150 billion in relief for state and local governments; $12 billion to fight homelessness; and $349 for lending programs to assist businesses in the form of forgivable loans, debt relief and disaster grants.
Cox said that while the CARES Act “is a great start,” it does not provide relief to mixed status households, farmworkers and those who are food insecure.
“This bill denies benefits to mixed status (citizen/non-citizen households). It also fails to protect our farm workers, and in a time of increasing food insecurity, it doesn’t raise dangerously low Supplemental Nutrition Assistance (SNAP) benefits,” he said.
“While this relief package will provide critical emergency assistance our Valley needs now, I know we still have more work to do, and I will be working for you every day as Congress crafts the next package.”
Cox said the $200 million in funds he secured will make it easier for Valley families to get healthcare without driving long distances.
“Finally, I’m glad to have secured $200 million in funding to make telehealth more accessible for Central Valley communities — something that I’ve personally been pushing for since my first day in Congress,” Cox said. “No one should have to drive up to an hour away to obtain care if they can get quality health care in the comfort of their own home.”
Cox will hold tele-town halls in the following weeks to provide updates to valley residents and business.