SCAI and four other cardiovascular organizations recommended relief for their members and patients in a letter to the Hill as new pandemic legislation was being drafted. We expressed appreciation for what has already been done but noted that additional relief will be needed so that practices can remain in business until we return to something resembling normal practices.

 To support physician practices, our societies ask Congress to:

• establish a no- or low-interest loan program specifically for physician practices that would allow funds to be used for payroll and other expenses; and
• provide additional funding for direct relief grants to physician practices that allows them to respond and recover from the COVID-19 pandemic.

We also requested further improvements in reimbursement for telehealth, the elimination of prior authorization in Medicare Advantage plans and increases in Medicare reimbursement.