Welcome back to this pro rata, where we take just 10 minutes to get you smarter on the

inclusion of tech, business, and politics. Sponsored by Bridge Bank. Be bold. Venture wisely.

I'm Dan Pramack. On today's show, why the new unemployment number is even worse than it looks

and who got left out of the $2 trillion stimulus bill.

But first, bailing out hospitals.

So last night, the US Senate did pass the $2 trillion stimulus bill and it includes help

for hospitals and related parts of the health care system.

This is something hospitals have been begging for, and the key piece is a $100 billion,

no strings attached fund for hospitals and other health care providers, so they can, quote, continue to receive the support they need for COVID-19 related expenses and lost revenue, end quote. In short, it helps the helpers. The bill also increases payments to hospitals treating Medicare patients with COVID-19. It requires employers and insurers to pay hospitals and labs for COVID-19 tests if a contract isn't already in place,

and it temporarily suspends the so-called sequestration of Medicare payments, which would cut provider reimbursement by 2%.

It's what the hospitals wanted, and then some, particularly rural hospitals that

were already struggling and some urban public hospitals that are being overrun with coronavirus

cases. But there also are some things that didn't make the cut, particularly when it comes to out-of-pocket

patient costs. We'll dig into all of it in 20 seconds with Axios Healthcare reporter Bob Herman.

But first, this. The Equity Fund Resources Group at Bridgebank is a central hub for the venture capital and private equity communities.

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Bridge Bank.

Be bold.

Venture wisely.

We're joined now by Axios Healthcare reporter Bob Herman prior to the coronavirus crisis.

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