Greetings!

As the response to the coronavirus outbreak continues, there are many ways to advocate for policies and priorities that are important to you. Congressional offices are continuing to respond to calls and emails concerning COVID-19 as well as other legislative inquiries and concerns. During May, both offices moved legislation forward regarding this pandemic. Information on those bills can be found in this newsletter. To learn more about what is happening in Washington DC concerning COVID-19, please visit our legislative updates page.

Be active. Be heard. Make a difference. We hope this new eNewsletter platform will inform and assist you as you advocate for yourself and/or loved ones.

Functional GI and Motility Disorders Research Enhancement Act
22 Cosponsors


64 Cosponsors
2 Cosponsors

138 Cosponsors
15 Cosponsors

H.R. - House of Representatives
S. - Senate
Join us for IFFGD's 2020 Virtual Advocacy Day!

The HEROES Act was passed by the House of Representatives on May 15th. This proposal is comprehensive, totaling nearly $3 trillion, and represents the fifth COVID-19 response package considered by Congress. It is likely that the Senate will not pass this legislation as it is currently written; therefore, the final package may not reflect this current summary.

This legislation seeks to provide many assurances for coverage of COVID-19 related tests, vaccines, and treatments for government and private insurance beneficiaries. This includes limiting cost-sharing and providing no-cost services and treatments. It seeks to create new special enrollment periods for Medicare and the federal exchanges for private insurance coverage. Free testing would be made retroactive, ensuring coverage from the start of the public health emergency. Requirements for no-cost sharing to treat COVID-19 would be extended to TRICARE and the VA health system.

The HEROES Act would require the appointment of a qualified Medical Supplies Response Coordinator to oversee supply chain logistics. This will also propose the following studies:
  • asking the National Academies to conduct a review and make recommendations to encourage domestic manufacturing of critical drugs,
  • asking the Government Accountability Office (GAO) to study the feasibility of a Strategic National Stockpile user-fee arrangement, and study and report on the diagnostic testing response. 

The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) would be required to issue a new and detailed plan for testing while requiring all labs conducting COVID-19 testing to report daily findings to HHS. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) will be required to establish a national system for testing and contact tracing. Deployment of the Defense Production Act will occur to increase production and supply of critical items, including diagnostic tests. Certain territories and localities will be released from “Buy American” requirements, allowing them to source medical equipment from nearly any supplier. A public health workforce loan repayment program will be established.

This legislation seeks to authorize:
  • $6 billion to modernize the public health department.
  • $223.04 billion in total will be authorized for HHS with specific allocations including the; CDC, NIH, HHS Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response, Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, Public Health and Social Services Emergency Fund, CMS, Indian Health Service, and Health Resources and Services Administration.
  • $1.3 billion to assist the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) with response activities.
  • $900 million to assist tribal governments with response activities.
  • $125 million for the National Science Foundation to assist with response activities.
  • $90 billion for the U.S. Department of Education to support funding for public schools.
  • $10.5 billion to alleviate COVID-19 related burdens for both schools and students.
  • $200 million for the Bureau of Prisons to conduct response activities.

Find more information on this legislation here.

On April 21st, the Senate unanimously passed The Paycheck Protection Program and Health Care Enhancement Act, an additional coronavirus (COVID-19) response legislation, the House of Representatives passed the measure on April 23rd. The president signed the bill into law on April 24th. Totaling nearly $500 billion, this is a narrow response package targeted at further emergency supplemental appropriations and economic stimulus.

Emergency Healthcare Appropriations

  • $25 billion in additional funding to research, develop, and administer testing.
  • $3.82 billion for divisions of HHS with specific allocations for; NIH, FDA, CDC, and the Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority (BARDA).
  • $825 million in additional funding for Community Health Centers to support ongoing response activities.
  • $1 billion in additional funding to further provide testing for those who are uninsured.
  • $75 billion in additional funding to reimburse hospitals and healthcare providers to support ongoing response efforts and replace lost revenue.

Economic Stimulus Measures

  • Provides $310 billion to replenish the Paycheck Protection Program.
  • Sets aside $30 billion in loans for community banks and small lenders with less than $10 billion in assets.
  • Sets aside $30 billion in loans for medium-sized financial institutions and lenders with $10 to $50 billion in assets.
  • Provides direct incentives for small businesses to keep their workers on the payroll.
  • $10 billion in additional funding for Emergency Economic Injury Disaster grants. These are awarded up to $10,000 for entities that are experiencing a temporary loss of revenue. Eligible recipients are small businesses with less than 500 employees.
  • $50 billion in additional funding for the Disaster Loans Program Account, which provides financial assistance for small businesses or private, non-profit organizations that suffer substantial economic injury as a result of declared disasters.

Find more information on this legislation here.
IFFGD's Washington Update

We are actively working in Washington to advocate on behalf of the gastrointestinal illness community. We will continually update you on professional events, written comment submissions, and other opportunities that provide IFFGD the ability to engage with Washington.

IFFGD submitted testimony to the Senate Defense Appropriations Subcommittee in support of the Gulf War Illness Research Program (GWIRP) on April 27th.

The Patients and Providers for Medical Nutrition Equity Organization hosted a National Medical Nutrition Action Day on Tuesday, May 19th, in an effort to gain cosponsors for the Medical Nutrition Equity Act (S. 3657/H.R. 2501). The House Bill has gained one cosponsor since the Action Day, and organizations and individuals are continuing to reach out to their legislators.

The National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK) is continuing to seek input for their Institute-wide strategic planning process. The goal is to develop a broad vision for accelerating research into the causes, prevention, and treatment of diseases and conditions within the Institute’s mission. Click here to learn more about these efforts and how you can provide insight for this planning process.
The 2020 Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee’s final systematic review protocols are available online. These protocols take into consideration input from the Committee during its public meetings, and public comments received. Included is the scientific articles cited, and those excluded, including the reasons for exclusion.
International Foundation for Gastrointestinal Disorders (IFFGD)
414-964-1799 | iffgd@iffgd.org | www.iffgd.org
IFFGD is a nonprofit organization.
We rely on donor support to fund research and to provide reliable information and support to those affected by chronic gastrointestinal disorders