COVID-19, Bill Withers, Constitution, Pregnancy, Prisons, Veterans Administration, Unions, Airlines, PPE, Truckers, EPA, Media, Insurance, Hydroxycloroquine, Defense Production Act, New York

UK Prime Minister, Boris Johnson, has been moved to ICU as he battles COVID-19 symptoms.

Bill Withers passed away on April 4, 2020. He was best known for his song, "Lean on Me".

In a press conference at the White House with the Coronavirus Task Force, Donald Trump was asked why he did not declare a national emergency and enact a national lockdown. Donald Trump answered the reporter saying, "Because we have what is called a United States Constitution, and I respect that very much." He went on to explain that every state has different needs, so it is better that each governor act in a way that best benefits his or her own state. He has issued national guidelines for each state to follow. That should be enough.

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Patient-Centered Care for Pregnant Patients During the COVID-19 Pandemic
Source: American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists
March 30, 2020
As the physicians, certified nurse-midwives (CNM) and certified midwives (CM) who care for patients and their families, we see firsthand the stress and uncertainty facing pregnant people, parents, and their support networks during the COVID-19 pandemic. We are listening to the people we care for and share their concerns about the impact of this pandemic on their intended plans for labor and birth. We stand in solidarity with our patients and are committed to working tirelessly to deliver evidence-based, respectful, patient-centered care to ensure parents and their families are supported during this time of pandemic.
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CONGRESSMAN DAVID TRONE CALLS ON FEDERAL BUREAU OF PRISONS TO RELEASE CORONAVIRUS RESPONSE PLANS
Source: U.S. Representative David Trone (D-MD, 6th)
March 31, 2020
As of March 27, the Federal Bureau of Prisons (BOP) had 14 incarcerated individuals and 13 staff across 16 BOP facilities (in nine different states) who tested positive for COVID-19.[1] We know that the coronavirus presents a unique and serious danger to our nation's prisons and jails. BOP must prioritize the health and safety of correctional staff and incarcerated individuals by taking necessary steps to mitigate the chance of an outbreak of the virus at all BOP facilities, be prepared to provide immediate and comprehensive care to our incarcerated population when COVID-19 is detected at one of our prisons or jails, and prevent transmission between BOP facilities.
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VA Employee Union Criticizes Veterans Benefit Administration for Requiring Employees to Report to Work After Two Tested Positive for Coronavirus
Source: American Federation for Government Employees
March 31, 2020
“It is appalling that VBA management still expects employees to come into the facility after there were two confirmed coronavirus cases. These employees were still walking around the facility less than two weeks ago,” said Jim Rihel, AFGE Local 940 President. “Since the announcement of the positive COVID-19 cases, the anxiety levels of already nervous employees have been through the roof.”
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NLRB Changes Rules to Make It Harder for Workers to Be Represented
Source: American Federation of Labor and Congress of Industrial Organizations (AFL-CIO)
March 31, 2020
“In two weeks time, in the middle of a pandemic, President Trump’s NLRB suspended representation elections and then made it harder for employers to voluntarily recognize unions. In other words, the board is effectively sealing off any viable path to unionization at a time when workers need a voice on the job more than ever. Donald Trump’s caustic hostility to collective bargaining has manifested itself in the most anti-worker NLRB in America’s history. The labor movement will fight these actions with everything we have.”
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Don’t Use Taxpayer Dollars To Buy Private Companies
Source: American Legislative Exchange Council
March 31, 2020
ALEC Action is strongly opposed to provisions in the recently signed $2 trillion economic aid package that give the United States government part ownership in airline companies. Private sector options must be exhausted before any government involvement is considered, and a government loan to airline carriers would have been far less damaging than the federal grants in the signed proposal. The federal government should never spend taxpayer dollars to acquire ownership in private companies. The structure of government assistance should not require governmental ownership of private companies, nor should it impose regulations that interfere with a company’s ability to conduct business and pay back taxpayer dollars.
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AMA supports health care workforce using their own PPE
Source: American Medical Association
March 31, 2020
“As physicians and other frontline health care workers across the U.S. continue to face dire shortages of personal protective equipment (PPE), the AMA fully supports them in using their own face masks and respirators when these critical resources are unavailable and not provided by their employer. The people working round the clock to combat this virus should not be penalized or punished for taking precautions necessary to protect themselves, their patients, and their families from the spread of COVID-19. We are pleased that The Joint Commission updated its guidance today, and provided an evidence-based analysis, to clarify that its policy does not prohibit health care workers from bringing their own PPE from home.”
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“Phase Three” COVID-19 Legislation: Keys for Motor Carriers
Source: American Trucking Association
March 31, 2020
“Across the country right now, truckers are answering the call during this national emergency, delivering food, medicine, PPE and other critical supplies. It’s important for our nation’s supply chain that trucking has access to liquidity, so we can keep our trucks on the road—and not on the sales lot.”
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Reps. Tlaib, Levin Lead Michigan Lawmakers in Urging EPA to Continue Actively Enforcing Environmental Rules and Regulations
Source: U.S. Representative Rashida Tialb (D-MI, 6th)
March 31, 2020
Congresswoman Rashid Tlaib (MI-13), Congressman Andy Levin (MI-09), and five other members of the Michigan congressional delegation, sent a letter to Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Andrew Wheeler urging him to rescind its March 26 guidance, which announced it would suspend active enforcement of many important environmental policies due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
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If NYT doesn’t think critical press briefings on Chinese coronavirus are news, then get some real reporters in there
Source: Americans for Limited Government
March 31, 2020
“In the New York Times’ world, blunders are news, gotchas are news, but actual information on how every American can help save lives in a time when the Chinese coronavirus is the only story is not news. What a bunch of frauds. The White House should rotate the New York Times out of the White House press room twice a week in favor of someone who actually covers the news, and see how they scream that they are denied access. Obviously, all the White House would have to tell the New York Times is that they don’t want to waste their time, since from their perspective the briefings don’t make news.”
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How Americans for Prosperity is uniting with communities, businesses, and policymakers to combat COVID-19
Source: Americans for Prosperity
March 31, 2020
Activists, businesses, and lawmakers all have a role to play in protecting public health, ensuring greater access to care for vulnerable patients, and allowing for communities to come together to adapt and innovate to help the people and institutions affected by COVID-19.
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Anthem Waives Cost Share for COVID-19 Treatment
Source: Anthem, Inc
March 31, 2020
Anthem’s commitment to improving lives and supporting our local communities is more important than ever as the nation joins together to address the COVID-19 crisis. As part of Anthem’s ongoing actions to meet the needs of those directly impacted by the disease, the company announced it will expand coverage, effective April 1, for members in its affiliated health plans undergoing treatment related to a COVID-19 diagnosis.
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Georgia Tech faces lawsuit for discriminating against MLK’s niece
Source: Alliance Defending Freedom
April 1, 2020
Alliance Defending Freedom attorneys representing the Students for Life chapter at Georgia Tech filed suit in federal court Wednesday after the university’s student government denied funding for a speaking event featuring Alveda King, the niece of civil rights activist Martin Luther King, Jr., because she is “inherently religious” like her uncle.
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Warren Urges FDA to Address Shortages of Drugs Prematurely Touted by President Trump as COVID-19 Treatments
Source: Senator Elizabeth Warren (D - MA)
April 2, 2020
Though scientists have begun testing hydroxychloroquine and chloroquine as candidates for potential COVID-19 treatments and the FDA issued an Emergency Use Authorization for the prescription of the drugs in certain circumstances, public health experts have cautioned against their wide distribution. Despite these warnings, President Trump continues to use his platform to tout unproven treatments, resulting in inappropriate prescribing, at least one death, and reported shortages of the drugs. This threatens to exacerbate existing health problems; there are already reports pharmacists have had to turn away or limit supplies to patients being treated for autoimmune disorders.
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Internists Say Defense Production Act must be used to Produce PPE
Source: American College of Physicians
April 2, 2020
In a letter sent this afternoon to President Trump, the American College of Physicians (ACP) said the Defense Production Act (DPA) must immediately be invoked to require manufacturers to make personal protection equipment (PPE) for physicians and other health care workers.
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Internists Call on the Trump Administration to Open Health Insurance Enrollment Due to COVID-19
Source: American College of Physicians
April 2, 2020
“COVID-19 continues to dramatically alter our way of life. We appreciate the administration and Congress’ efforts to expand access to COVID-19 testing without cost sharing. However, millions remain uninsured or underinsured,” wrote Robert McLean, MD, MACP, president, ACP in the letter. “ACP is concerned that those without comprehensive coverage may be less likely to seek and receive testing and treatment of COVID-19, endangering themselves and others.”
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Private insurer actions urged to support COVID-19 challenge
Source: American Hospital Association
April 2, 2020
The AHA has urged leaders from the nation's five largest private health insurance companies — Aetna, Anthem, Humana, Cigna and UnitedHealthCare — and organizations that represent insurers (America’s Health Insurance Plans and Blue Cross Blue Shield Association) to join hospitals and health systems to "meet the historic challenge" caused by COVID-19 to "ensure that the health care system is there for anyone who needs care."
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NYC Official Says City Is Preparing To Dig ‘Trenches’ In A Park To Bury The Dead
Source: Reporter Sara Carter/Jennie Taer
April 6, 2020
The Chair of the New York City Council’s health committee Mark D. Levine said Monday that the city is overwhelmed by the number of deaths from the coronavirus and that they’re preparing to dig “trenches” in a city park to bury the dead.
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Ponder News Bytes for April 3, 2020

Listen to the latest Coronavirus COVID-19 Press Conference from the White House (April 1).

Trump Administration is doubling down on efforts to stop terrorists and drug cartels amid the COVID-19 epidemic.

In the week ending March 28, the advance figure for seasonally adjusted initial claims was 6,648,000, an increase of 3,341,000 from the previous week's revised level. This marks the highest level of seasonally adjusted initial claims in the history of the seasonally adjusted series. The previous week's level was revised up by 24,000 from 3,283,000 to 3,307,000. The 4-week moving average was 2,612,000, an increase of 1,607,750 from the previous week's revised average. The previous week's average was revised up by 6,000 from 998,250 to 1,004,250.

The advance seasonally adjusted insured unemployment rate was 2.1 percent for the week ending March 21, an increase of 0.9 percentage point from the previous week's unrevised rate. The advance number for seasonally adjusted insured unemployment during the week ending March 21 was 3,029,000, an increase of 1,245,000 from the previous week's revised level. This is the highest level for insured unemployment since July 6, 2013 when it was 3,079,000. The previous week's level was revised down by 19,000 from 1,803,000 to 1,784,000. The 4-week moving average was 2,053,500, an increase of 327,250 from the previous week's revised average. This is the highest level for this average since January 14, 2017 when it was 2,062,000. The previous week's average was revised down by 4,750 from 1,731,000 to 1,726,250

Secretary of Labor Eugene Scalia issued the following statement regarding Unemployment Insurance claims:

"Similar to last week’s unemployment claims numbers, today’s report reflects the sacrifices American workers are making for their families, neighbors, and country in order to ‘slow the spread.’ The Administration continues to act quickly to address this impact on American workers. That includes a rule the Labor Department adopted yesterday to implement the paid leave provisions of the Families First Coronavirus Response Act, and the Department’s work with the States to make available the enhanced unemployment benefits provided in the CARES Act, which the President signed last week. That legislation also contains significant incentives for businesses to retain workers and continue paying them, which will put businesses and workers in a better position to resume work and re-boot the economy once the virus is contained.

California Governor Gavin Newsome says that the Coronavirus is an opportunity to usher in a new progressive era. He says, "We see this as an opportunity to reshape the way we do business and how we govern."

House Democrats are launching an investigation in the President's response to COVID-19. U.S. Representative Ralph Abraham (R-LA, 5th) has tweeted, "House Democrats have started yet another partisan witch hunt to investigate @realDonaldTrump’s execution of the CARES Act after the Dems diverted millions from Americans in crisis. Her thought processes are both delusional & reckless. I once again call for her removal as Speaker."

Nancy Pelosi claimed on Twitter, "Either the Administration didn’t know how to respond to the coming crisis, or they refused to accept the threat that it posed. Anything else is just an excuse. #AMR"

I guess she forgot that she ripped up the speech in which he told of his response.

U.S. Purchase of Needed Supplies From Russia

by U.S. Department of State

Washington, D.C. - April 2, 2020 - (The Ponder News) -- The United States is committed to the global fight against COVID-19. We are a generous and reliable contributor to crisis response and humanitarian action across the world, but we cannot do it alone. The countries of the G20 agreed last week to work together to defeat the coronavirus, and we are working closely with these countries and others to ensure that critically needed supplies get to those in need.

As a follow-up to the March 30 phone call between President Trump and President Putin, the United States has agreed to purchase needed medical supplies, including ventilators and personal protection equipment, from Russia, which were handed over to FEMA on April 1 in New York City.

Both countries have provided humanitarian assistance to each other in times of crisis in the past and will no doubt do so again in the future. This is a time to work together to overcome a common enemy that threatens the lives of all of us.

Trump Administration Reverses Course And Allows Social Security Beneficiaries To Receive COVID-19 Direct Cash Assistance Without Filing Tax Returns

by Senator Tom Udall (D-NM)

Washington, D.C. - April 2, 2020 - (The Ponder News) -- Following calls from U.S. Senators Tom Udall (D-N.M.) and Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.), the U.S. Treasury Department announced that Social Security recipients will automatically receive direct cash assistance included in the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act without having to file tax returns.

On Wednesday, Senators Udall and Heinrich, along with a group of 41 colleagues, sent a letter to Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin expressing alarm over guidance that the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) issued earlier this week that said that Social Security beneficiaries would need to file tax returns in order to receive direct cash payments. This directly contradicted Congressional intent in drafting the CARES Act, which had made clear that the Treasury Department had the authority to send automatic direct cash assistance to Social Security beneficiaries regardless of whether they file taxes.

“Now is the time for the federal government to do all it can to assist Americans financially, especially Americans most in need,” said Udall. “I’m relieved the Trump administration reversed course on requiring Social Security recipients to file tax returns in order for them to receive their direct assistance benefit, after we pushed them to do so. Many Social Security recipients are retired and living on fixed incomes or are disabled, and do not file tax returns because they’re not required to. Congress wrote the law with these people in mind -- and specifically intended that these individuals receive their direct payment without having to file a return. I’m glad the Treasury Department is following the law so these Social Security recipients are assured they will receive their check promptly.”

“The seniors and people with disabilities who receive Social Security benefits are particularly vulnerable during this time. Congress made it explicitly clear in drafting the CARES Act that Social Security beneficiaries did not need to take any additional actions in order to receive their direct payments,” said Heinrich. “While I am pleased that Secretary Mnuchin realized the need to reverse course, it should not require this much political pressure to do the right thing. I will continue to hold the Trump Administration accountable every step of the way in implementing all of the emergency measures Congress passed as rapidly and effectively as possible so our health providers and the families who need help get it without delay."

Department of Justice and Department of Health and Human Services Partner to Distribute More Than Half a Million Medical Supplies Confiscated from Price Gougers

by U.S. Department of Justice

Washington, D.C. - April 2, 2020 - (The Ponder News) -- The U.S. Department of Justice and U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has announced the distribution of hoarded personal protective equipment (PPE), including approximately 192,000 N95 respirator masks, to those on the frontline of the novel coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) response in New York and New Jersey.

The FBI discovered the supplies during an enforcement operation by the Department of Justice's COVID-19 Hoarding and Price Gouging Task Force on March 30 and alerted HHS which used its authority under Defense Production Act (DPA) to order that the supplies be immediately furnished to the United States. In addition to the N95 respirator masks, the supplies found included 598,000 medical grade gloves and 130,000 surgical masks, procedure masks, N100 masks, surgical gowns, disinfectant towels, particulate filters, bottles of hand sanitizer, and bottles of spray disinfectant.

"If you are amassing critical medical equipment for the purpose of selling it at exorbitant prices, you can expect a knock at your door," said Attorney General William P. Barr. "The Department of Justice's COVID-19 Hoarding and Price Gouging Task Force is working tirelessly around the clock with all our law enforcement partners to ensure that bad actors cannot illicitly profit from the COVID-19 pandemic facing our nation."

"Cracking down on the hoarding of vital supplies allows us to distribute this material to the heroic healthcare workers on the frontlines who are most in need," said HHS Secretary Alex Azar. "Thanks to the quick work of the White House, the Department of Justice, and HHS, the seized resources were distributed in days to the doctors, nurses and first responders who need them. President Trump's all-of-America approach to combating the coronavirus involves an aggressive approach to stopping hoarding, and the American public can play a role by being on the lookout for this behavior."

HHS will pay the owner of the hoarded equipment pre-COVID-19 fair market value for the supplies and has begun distributing to meet the critical need for the supplies among healthcare workers in New York and New Jersey.

Specifically, after inspecting the supplies, HHS arranged for the delivery of the PPE to the New Jersey Department of Health, the New York State Department of Health and the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene.

"This is the first of many such investigations that are underway," said Peter Navarro, DPA Policy Coordinator and Assistant to the President. "Our FBI agents and other law enforcement agencies are tracking down every tip and lead they get, and are devoting massive federal resources to this effort. All individuals and companies hoarding any of these critical supplies, or selling them at well above market prices, are hereby warned they should turn them over to local authorities or the federal government now or risk prompt seizure by the federal government."

Vendors interested in selling PPE to the federal government should contact the Federal Emergency Management Agency at https://www.fema.gov/coronavirus/how-to-help. Anyone who learns of hoarding or price gouging of PPE should report it to the National Center for Disaster Fraud by dialing 1-866-720-5721 or emailing disaster@leo.gov.

HHS and the Federal Emergency Management Agency continue to collaborate with private industry to overcome the shortage of PPE across the country amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Defense Production Act and Presidential Executive Order are intended to prevent accumulation in excess of reasonable demands of business, personal, or home consumption, or for the purpose of resale at prices in excess of prevailing market prices, also known as hoarding and price gouging, of medical supplies critical to the COVID-19 response.

Tahirih Files Lawsuit Challenging the Use of CBP to Conduct Credible Fear Interviews

by Tahirih Justice Center

Washington, D.C. - April 2, 2020 - (The Ponder News) -- The Tahirih Justice Center filed a lawsuit in federal court challenging the use of Customs and Border Patrol (CBP) agents to screen asylum seekers for their ‘credible fear’ of persecution. This policy change violates federal immigration law and was enacted by officials who did not have the authority to do so. The lawsuit is filed on behalf of women and children currently detained at the South Texas Family Residential Center in Dilley. Tahirih has also sought information on this clandestine policy through a Freedom of Information Act lawsuit to compel the government to release records on this troubling practice.

“Credible fear interviews are supposed to be the non-adversarial, first step in the extensive asylum process, in which asylum seekers who have experienced severe violence recount intimate details of their persecution. For decades, these interviews have been conducted by asylum officers, specially trained to work with individuals who have experienced trauma,” said Julie Carpenter, Tahirih Senior Litigation Counsel. “Using Border Patrol—federal law enforcement officers whose mission is to capture and detain immigrants—to conduct these immediate interviews intentionally puts the fate of survivors of gender-based violence, and other asylum seekers, in the hands of agents who lack the necessary expertise in asylum law.”

Scott, Coons, Walker, Cleaver Call For April To Be National Month Of Prayer

Charleston, SC - April 1, 2020 - (The Ponder News) -- With COVID-19 modeling showing April will be a potentially devastating month across the nation, U.S. Senators Tim Scott (R-SC) and Chris Coons (D-DE) and U.S. Representatives Emanuel Cleaver (D-MO-05) and Mark Walker (R-NC-06) are calling for our country to come together in non-denominational, private, and voluntary prayer at Noon every day.

“In April, we ask our nation to come together in prayer at Noon each day to help lift up those suffering from COVID-19, protect our health care professionals and first responders, and bring clarity and strength to the Coronavirus Task Force and state public health officials leading our response.

Be it after the shootings at Mother Emanuel church or the horrific attacks on September 11, 2001, in times of tragedy, our country often turns to faith and prayer to unite us in common resolve. With the projected death toll from coronavirus currently estimating at least 100,000 people, we can all do our part – from social distancing and washing our hands to keeping those on the frontlines of this battle in our prayers each day.”

Trump Jr Catches WHO Fumble

Bytes to Ponder - April 1, 2020

* After fighting for New Yorker's in the midst of this war on COVID-19, Chris Cuomo, New York's Governor, has tested positive for the virus.

* According to the House Foreign Affairs Committee, an employee from the State Department has died from COVID-19.

* Reports are coming out from all over that the Chinese mis-represented their numbers concerning the CORONAVIRUS COVID-19, and that a LOT more people were infected than they let on, and a lot more people died.

* As Taiwan battles the virus, China sent faulty equipment to help them.

* U.S. Representative Jim Banks (R-IN, 3rd) sent a letter to Speaker Nancy Pelosi urging her to include provisions in the House COVID-19 stimulus package to disentangle the United States’ medical supply chain from China.

“Difficult times like these require unity and responsible governance—but they also offer policymakers important lessons,” said Rep. Banks. “97% of antibiotics, and a large portion of pharmaceutical products used domestically are manufactured in China. Even if we discount the risk of hostile action from China, COVID-19 has destabilized global supply chains which could prevent Americans from accessing needed health care. We need immediate action to counteract the economic and health threats of COVID-19, but this stimulus package should also include long-term solutions to an underlying threat to the health of every American—our reliance on China for crucial medical products.”

* Trump says he will not allow Obamacare open enrollment to re-open for special operations. He is looking for alternative solutions.

*Bernie Sanders is calling for the government to give food away.

* A Louisiana Church was fined with misdemeanors, and the Pastor was arrested for holding church services in spite of social distancing measures. On Tuesday, March 31, 2020, they decided to do it again. A few protestors showed up, holding up signs that read, "God don't like Stupid!"

* Gun Sales are climbing upwards to 85% more sales in March than the same time last year. Considering the fact that low-level offenders with past violent crimes on their records are being released without bail in Texas, in spite of Governor Abbott's EO against it without paying bail, it is reasonable for local citizens to want one.

Thompson, 32 Members Ask CA Insurance Commissioner to Ensure Businesses Can Use Business Interruption Insurance

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======by Senator John Boozman (R-AR)

St. Helena, CA - April 1, 2020 - (The Ponder News) -- Rep. U.S. Representative Mike Thompson (D-CA, 5th) joined 32 bipartisan Members of the California delegation in writing to California Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara asking him to use his authority to ensure insurance companies comply with their business interruption policies. After hearing that some businesses that had purchased this insurance were getting denied, Thompson and the other signers wrote the below letter to help the businesses get these claims filled so they can remain solvent throughout closures due to the Coronavirus pandemic.

The letter was signed by Representatives Ken Calvert (CA-42), Anna Eshoo (CA-18), Zoe Lofgren (CA-19), Barbara Lee (CA-13), Grace F. Napolitano (CA-32), Mike Thompson (CA-05), Adam B. Schiff (CA-28), Jim Costa (CA-16), Doris Matsui (CA-06), Jerry McNerney (CA-09), Jackie, Speier (CA-14), Tom McClintock (CA-04), Judy Chu (CA-27), Ami Bera (CA-07), Julia Brownley (CA-26), Tony Cardenas (CA-29), Jared Huffman (CA-02), Doug LaMalfa (CA-01), Alan Lowenthal (CA-47), Raul Ruiz, M.D. (CA-36), Eric Swalwell (CA-15), Ted W. Lieu (CA-33), Norma J. Torres (CA-35), Nanette Diaz Barragan (CA-44), J. Luis Correa (CA-46), Ro Khanna (CA-17), Jimmy Panetta (CA-20), Jimmy Gomez (CA-34), Gilbert R. Cisneros, JR. (CA-39), TJ Cox (CA-21), Josh Harder (CA-10), Mike Levin (CA-49), Katie Porter (CA-45) and a copy is attached.

March 31, 2020

Commissioner Ricardo Lara
Insurance Commissioner
300 Capitol Mall, 17th Floor
Sacramento, CA 95814

Dear Commissioner Lara:

We urge you to exercise all authority to ensure the insurance companies comply with their business interruption policies. During this crisis, we must do everything possible to mitigate the devastating impact on small businesses due to the coronavirus pandemic.

As you know, many businesses have in good faith purchased and paid for business interruption insurance to cover the loss of business income sustained due to a necessary suspension of the business operations. However some insurers are choosing to deny these business interruption claims and not uphold their responsibility to help cover these insured losses. Without immediate action to address the denial of business interruption insurance claims, many businesses like our local restaurants, hotels, bars, small tourist shops and countless other businesses that are staples of our local communities will simply never resume service. California in particular has been battered year after year by earthquakes and fires and small businesses have not fully recovered from those previous disasters.

The coronavirus poses significant challenges to many small businesses and we are urging you to exercise all authority to have insurance companies comply with their business interruption insurance to cover losses caused by a California statewide business shutdown ordered to prevent the spread of coronavirus. During this crisis, we must do what it takes to work together to help our small businesses survive and recover. We appreciate your strong support to help California small business owners remain solvent during the coronavirus pandemic and keep employees on payroll until things stabilize.

Thank you for your leadership attention to this urgent matter. We look forward to working with you until this crisis is resolved.

Congressman Mike Thompson is proud to represent California’s 5th Congressional District, which includes all or part of Contra Costa, Lake, Napa, Solano and Sonoma Counties. He is a senior member of the House Committee on Ways and Means where he chairs the Subcommittee on Select Revenue Measures. Rep. Thompson is Chairman of the House Gun Violence Prevention Task Force. He is also Co-Chair of the bipartisan, bicameral Congressional Wine Caucus and a member of the fiscally-conservative Blue Dog Coalition.