LAST WEEK
On Wednesday, Governor Baker signed and enacted Senate Bill 2618, expanding the maximum allowable benefit period for claims from 27 weeks to 30 weeks for any week where unemployment insurance claims exceed 100,000. And on Monday, the City of Cambridge issued a revised face-covering order that does allow for the removal of face-covering if you can maintain six-foot distance at all times at work.
The Trump Administration announced on Tuesday that over 1,750 Medicare Part D & Medicare Advantage prescription drug plans will cap copays on insulin at $35/month maximum. This new benefit will save consumers an estimated $446 annually and will go into effect in the 2021 plan year.
Additionally, the U.S. House of Representatives considered two bills related to the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP). The first, the Paycheck Protection Program Flexibility Act of 2020, passed by a vote of 417-1 extends the period for loan forgiveness to 24 weeks and allows recipients of loan forgiveness under PPP to defer payroll taxes. The second, H.R. 6782 TRUTH Act, failed to receive 2/3 majority vote and did not pass. It would have required the Small Business Administration (SBA) to make certain information regarding economic relief related to Coronavirus public.
THIS WEEK
Beginning Monday, office spaces in Boston can begin to reopen at 25% capacity as part of Phase I of Massachusetts’ reopening plan.
Governor Baker is expected to announce on Saturday the timing of Phase II of Massachusetts’ reopening plan, and whether or not it can begin on June 8th – the earliest date – based on current public health data.