Press Releases

WASHINGTON – Congressman Ron Estes (R-Kansas) applauded the Treasury Department's final rule today that allows Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loan eligibility for some hospitals that are partially owned by state or local governments. This follows a letter that Rep. Estes signed along with other colleagues urging PPP support for rural hospitals. 

"Local, rural hospitals serve Kansans throughout the Sunflower State, but many are suffering due to COVID-19," said Rep. Estes. "Some of these hospitals are owned in part by the state or a local government, previously making them ineligible for PPP loans. Today's announcement opens up these highly-successful loans to hospitals that receive less than half of their total funds from public sources. This is another great step in providing relief for Kansans in rural parts of our state." 

President Trump signed the Paycheck Protection Program and Health Care Enhancement Act today, adding $310 billion to the PPP. The House passed this critical legislation yesterday. The new rule for hospitals allows them to apply for PPP loans if they receive less than 50% of their funding from state or local government sources, excluding Medicaid. 

Ron Estes is a 5th generation Kansan and represents Kansas’ 4th Congressional District in the U.S. House of Representatives. He serves on the House Committee on Ways and Means.