Alpha Lillstrom Cheng

Tell Your Senators What You Need!

(If you need your Senator's contact info, click here.)

On May 15, the House passed the Heroes Act—a $3 trillion House Democrats’ legislative wish-list.  While a number of the policy proposals have been dismissed outright by the Senate Republican leadership, the Democrats’ intent was to make their priorities public (for both policy and political reasons) so that the Senate Republicans are prompted to respond. Senators are currently evaluating and debating what policy to include in their legislative package which means they need your input.

Ask your Senators to improve the Paycheck Protection Program

PPS has identified key small business provisions of the Heroes Act which would be most useful for PPS members—especially those who have received a Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loan.  Please ask your Senators to include PPP modifications in their upcoming legislative package.  They need to hear from you about bipartisan solutions which would support you, your employees, and your small business.

 

Advocacy Opportunity:

Ask both of your Senators to fix the PPP in their next legislative response to COVID-19.  Thank them for creating the PPP and be frank about its shortcomings so they understand the importance of modifying this crucial program.  Use this template:

SUBJECT LINE: PPP is a lifeline, but covered period needs to be extended

Thank you for creating the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP).  As a small business owner who has received a PPP loan, I am very appreciative. 

My name is _________________ and I am a physical therapist in private practice and a member of the Private Practice Section of the American Physical Therapy Association.  My clinic is [near ________________landmark/in ___________ community, Town, State].  There are ___ therapists in my practice.  We also employ ___ support staff.  We have been an important part of our local economy and small business community for ___ years.  [Explain what the PPP loan has allowed you to do (maintain __ staff, make student loan payments for employees, etc.)]. 

Unfortunately, in my community the recovery will take longer than 8 weeks.  Therefore, I am asking you to consider moving the deadline for rehiring to previous levels from June 30 to December 31, 2020.  Those additional six months will allow me to provide sustainable long-term employment as opposed to being at risk of having to furlough employees after 8 weeks should patients continue to stay home and business income remain limited.

Also, please consider the following PPP improvements that were included in the House-passed bill:

    1. Include a legislative fix to allow tax-free forgiven PPP expenses to also be deductible business expenses—in line with the CARES Act Congressional intent 
    2. Extend both the covered period for PPP loans and the rehiring deadline for the forgiveness-eligible portion of a PPP loan from June 30 to December 31, 2020
    3. Lengthen the minimum maturity term of the PPP loan from 2 to 5 years
    4. Allow for payment deferral for up to 1 year (instead of 6 months)

Thank you for considering how to improve this valuable program.

Sincerely,

[Name, credentials]

Member, Private Practice Section of the American Physical Therapy Association

[Practice Name]

[Practice Address]

[Practice phone number]

If you are on social media, follow up your request with a tweet or facebook post tagging your legislator as well as PPS using #PPSAdvocacy. 

New to engaging with your lawmaker or need a refresher?  Check out thesetips for advocacy 

 Together we can make a difference!

For information on PPS’s legislative priorities and activities,

visit the Advocacy section at www.ppsapta.org