HHS Promises Accountability and Transparency in Distribution of Remaining Provider Relief Fund, Considers Extension on Fund Spending

On May 12, 2021, Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Xavier Becerra reported to the House Energy and Commerce Committee that HHS is considering extending the June 30 deadline for providers to use their distributions from the Provider Relief Fund created by the CARES Act in 2020. At the moment, HHS is looking at the issue “very closely” but hasn’t made any definitive promises. Hospital groups have advocated for an extension of the deadline until the end of the public health emergency because the circumstances and financial challenges that providers are facing are expected to continue well past June 30. HHS also reported to the Committee that the remaining $25 billion in the Provider Relief Fund will be distributed to “those who need it most.” HHS promised “accountability and transparency” in the distributions but did not elaborate on what those standards and requirements will be.