Congress needs to provide relief to hospitals
To the editor:
Hospitals are some of the largest employers in many counties throughout the state of Ohio, especially in our rural areas like Columbiana County.
Ohio’s 88 counties count on the jobs provided by these hospitals for a plethora of reasons beyond the health services provided. The economic impact our hospitals have on the state of Ohio is key to our state’s recovery from the COVID-19 outbreak.
Here in Columbiana County, Salem Regional Medical Center has been at the forefront of the COVID-19 pandemic and are in need of support. Our elected leaders in Washington need to support our hospitals and forgive the accelerated payments that hospitals received.
Congressmen Bill Johnson and Tim Ryan both signed a letter of leadership in Washington supporting loan forgiveness. This spirit of bipartisanship should be applauded and our elected leaders, on both sides of aisle, should get on board with this cause.
Congress needs to act immediately to provide relief to our hospitals. The loans the hospitals received need to be forgiven in order to keep our hospitals solvent. Loan forgiveness is not just important for our economy, it is important for the safety and welfare of our frontline workers.
ROY PAPARODIS,
Salem City Councilman
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