On Oct. 8, 2020, the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) issued interim final rule (IFR) guidance for the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) that includes small business loan forgiveness relief on amounts of $50,000 or less. In addition, the SBA created a new two-page application form, Form 3508S, and related instructions for borrowers with loans of $50,000 or less. A borrower using this form is exempt from both:

• Any reduction in its loan forgiveness amount on account of full-time equivalent reductions
• Any reduction in its loan forgiveness amount on account of reductions in employee salaries or wages

The rule does not exempt a borrower that is using Form 3508S from submitting the required documentation to substantiate payroll and nonpayroll costs. These requirements (including the requirement that at least 60 percent of the potential forgiveness amount was used for eligible payroll costs) are largely unchanged from the existing ones. A BKD CPAs & Advisors article provides more information on the additional guidance and new lender review responsibilities.

The Pennsylvania Department of Health released Pennsylvania Health Alert 531 – 10/8/20 – ADV on reporting point of care SARS-CoV-2 test results. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued Emergency Use Authorizations (EUA) for a number of COVID-19 point of care (POC) tests for rapid detection of SARS-CoV-2. These POC tests may be used by both traditional healthcare providers (e.g., hospitals, outpatient providers) and by non-traditional settings that have appropriate CLIA Certificate to conduct this testing. All entities conducting these POC tests are required to report these results, including positive, negative and inconclusive/indeterminate, to public health authorities through PA-NEDSS. Click here to view all the 2020 PA Health Alerts, Advisories and Updates.

The Pennsylvania Department of Health released Pennsylvania Health Alert 532 – 10/8/20 – ADV on point of care antigen test use and interpretation. The availability and use of antigen tests to detect SARS-CoV-2 is increasing. The main advantage of using these antigen tests is the rapid turnaround time for results; however, these tests are not as sensitive as molecular tests. This guidance is designed to describe what an antigen test is and how it differs from PCR testing, some best practices for sites conducting these tests, when point of care (POC) antigen testing should be considered, and circumstances that should be considered when interpreting antigen test results. Click here to view all the 2020 PA Health Alerts, Advisories and Updates.

The Wolf Administration has begun distributing the state’s first allotment of 250,000 COVID-19 antigen test kits provided by the federal government to Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments (CLIA)-certified institutions across Pennsylvania. Distribution is starting with Bradford, Centre, Lebanon, Montour, Northumberland, Schuylkill and Snyder counties because of the recent high disease incidence rate in these areas. The Secretary of Health also issued an order to laboratories, healthcare practitioners, healthcare providers and facilities reinforcing that all antigen test results, both positive and negative, are required to be reported to the Department of Health via its reporting system, PA-NEDSS. Click here to learn more.

2020 Health Workforce Field Strength Numbers Increase Access to Primary and Substance Use Disorder Care

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There are now more than 16,000 National Health Service Corps (NHSC) members providing care to more than 17 million Americans. An additional 1.8 million patients are cared for by over 1,700 Nurse Corps clinicians. Nurse Corps also added 135 faculty to its rolls.

NHSC and Nurse Corps programs support the recruitment and retention of dedicated primary care, dental, and behavioral health providers who care for underserved patients daily in high-need areas of the U.S. and its territories.

As part of our commitment to recruiting clinicians interested in serving in underserved areas, we take an active role in connecting clinicians with employment opportunities at approved sites. After a pause this spring and summer, we recently resumed hosting Virtual Job Fairs -a live interactive platform that provides students and clinicians the opportunity to meet with hundreds of recruiters hiring in underserved communities across the country.

Share how we’re making strides to impact health equity and increase access to care for those who need it most. Forward this email and use the graphics below to share with your audiences. Follow and tag us on our NHSC and Nurse Corps Facebook, NHSC and Nurse Corps LinkedIn, and NHSC Twitter accounts.

Thank you all for the hard work you do. Your dedication and support throughout 2020 has helped communities all over the nation get through a very difficult year.

Learn about HRSA’s Coronavirus response at hrsa.gov/coronavirus