Communications
NABIP Iowa's Public Affairs program works hand-in-hand with the Legislative Program. The Public Affairs program has several key components:
News Monitoring
NABIP Iowa monitors the media outlets in Iowa each day. When stories about health care reform, our industry, or the welfare of our clients run, NABIP Iowa and its members are able to quickly respond.
Press Release Distribution
NABIP Iowa is able to distribute press releases to almost every meaningful media outlet in the State, including online portals.
Rapid Response Team
NABIP Iowa's Communications Team assists with news monitoring, review and editing of press releases, and media responses when needed. Often, media responses are in the form of letters to the editor written over the name of individual Communication Team Members and submission of Op Ed articles.
Brokers Making a Difference
Highlights and Latest News
LICENSING RELIEF IN LIGHT OF COVID-19
On March 22, 2020, Governor Reynolds signed a new proclamation continuing the State Public Health Emergency Declaration as a result of the Covid-19 outbreak. Among other relief, the proclamation provides professional licensing relief by suspending the regulatory professions of Iowa Code chapters 502 and 522B and related administrative rules. Please review more information here.
CARES ACT
Here, check out the relevant health care sections we've found in the CARES Act.
IOWA SMALL BUSINESS RELIEF PROGRAM GRANT
Resources and information are made available on the Iowa Economic Development website.
Iowa Small Business Relief Program Grant
To be eligible for a small business relief grant, eligible businesses must:
- Be experiencing business disruption due to the COVID-19 pandemic
- Have employed between 2-25 people prior to March 17, 2020
The Small Business Relief Grants will assist eligible businesses in maintaining operations or reopening business following the COVID-19 pandemic. The funds may not be used to pay debts incurred prior to March 17, 2020.
The Iowa Economic Development Authority will review grant applications for eligibility and will determine the grant amount by the level of impact including loss in sales revenue and employees. Notification of award decisions and disbursement of grant funds will be expedited.
Tax Assistance
The Iowa Department of Revenue will review each application as applicable, to determine if it is appropriate to grant a deferral of the eligible taxes and waiver of penalty and interest.
The dual application for grant assistance and tax deferral is available at iowabusinessrecovery.com. The deadline for applications is March 31 at 12:00 p.m. (noon). The program may be restricted due to funding availability.
US Small Business Administration Loans
The SBA is now making loans available statewide to small businesses and private, non-profit organizations to help alleviate economic injury caused by the Coronavirus (COVID-19). SBA’s Economic Injury Disaster Loans offer up to $2 million in assistance and can provide vital economic support to small businesses to help overcome the temporary loss of revenue they are experiencing.
These loans may be used to pay fixed debts, payroll, accounts payable and other bills that can’t be paid because of the disaster’s impact. The interest rate is 3.75% for small businesses. The interest rate for non-profits is 2.75%. SBA offers loans with long-term repayments in order to keep payments affordable, up to a maximum of 30 years. Terms are determined on a case-by-case basis, based upon each borrower’s ability to repay. Applications can be made via the SBA’s website.
Unemployment Insurance Claims:
- If you are laid off due to COVID-19 or have to stay home to self-isolate, care for family members or due to illness related to COVID-19, you can receive unemployment benefits, provided you meet all other eligibility requirements. Those requirements essentially include working for wages from an employer who claims you as an employee in six of the last eighteen months and have earned at least $2,500 in the same time period. More specific explanation of benefit eligibility can be found at this link.
- Claimants can expect to receive payment within 7-10 days after the date the claim is filed.
- Claims that are filed and identified as a direct or indirect result of COVID-19, will not be charged to employers. Fact-finding interviews for these claims will be waived and not be held although employers will be notified of claims received.
- IWD will process unemployment insurance payments to ensure payment will continue to be paid in a timely manner.
“The Iowa Workforce Development team is dedicated to providing assistance to employees and employers affected by COVID-19. Please do not hesitate to contact myself or our team for assistance at 1-866-239-0843,” said Director Townsend.
For more information, visit www.IowaWorkforceDevelopment.gov
