ADA Legislative Issue Alert

At this writing, over 65,000 dentists have emailed their members of Congress to let them know what provisions need to be included in the 3rd legislative package being developed to fight the coronavirus. The ADA is proud to share that more than 180,000 emails have been sent to Capitol Hill in just the last 24 hours. The Senate is taking the lead in developing this package called the “Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act’’ or the ‘‘CARES Act.’’ So far, the draft legislation includes some of the recommendations that we asked for in our letter—and your emails—to Congressional offices.  
As this draft bill takes shape, the provisions of interest to dentists and dental practices include:

• SBA low interest express loans, which are expected to have a 36-hour turnaround, would be increased to $1 million through  2020.
• Student loan payments would be temporarily suspended.
• Employer Payroll Taxes and Corporate Tax Payments could be delayed.
• Emergency leave programs established under the second coronavirus package, including expanding the Labor Department’s authority to exempt businesses with fewer than 50 workers from paid leave requirements, would be modified.
• Rebates of as much as $1,200 for individual tax filers or $2,400 for couples who file jointly would be dispensed based on income.
• The tax filing deadline for the 2019 tax year would be moved to July 15, 2020, from April 15. The deadline for any individual installment payments would be delayed until October 15, 2020.
• Individuals could withdraw as much as $100,000 from their retirement accounts through the end of 2020 without penalty.

The legislative process is far from over. Much activity will take place over the next two days.  
Finally, you should be aware that the Administration acknowledged dentists around the country at a news conference for being proactive and restricting services to help fight the spread of the virus, but still remaining available to perform emergency procedures in their offices so that individuals in need do not have to go to a hospital.  Thank you for everything you do for dentistry!