Senator Moran checks in on Cloud County

During this time when town hall meetings are not an option, U.S. Senator Jerry Moran (R-Kansas) used Zoom video conferencing technology to meet Saturday morning with representatives from public and private entities in Cloud County, and state politicians.
The purpose of the teleconference was to provide Moran with an opportunity to hear what the concerns of those participating are, as much of the country is shut down to help mitigate the spread of COVID-19, which has now killed over 40,000 Americans.
“I much prefer being on main street of Concordia than in my basement,” Moran said, “Mostly what I am interested in doing is hearing what is going on in Cloud County, what your concerns are, and where we have allowed people to slip through the cracks.”
Moran said there has been a significant federal effort at trying to address the health and well -being of the American citizens.
Congress has been through three phases of legislation designed to help ease the economic hardships being caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.
The latest phase of economic assistance is the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act.
Congress is currently working on a fourth phase of assistances, and Moran told those participating in the conference that he would like input on what should be included.
“One of the unfortunate circumstances is that anytime government begins making assistance available to somebody, there are a whole bunch of other people who need to be, or want to be, included in that, and I would say that my philosophy, my view of the role of federal government in particular, is one of less involvement in people’s lives, less spending,” Moran said, “And what I have voted for, I have voted for all three phases, doesn’t necessarily fit that view, but my belief is that Americans, Kansans, are in a circumstance which creates great harm both health-wise and economically, and it is necessary to do some things I normally would not be voting for.”
Moran said that in all three phases there are aspects of the legislation that he does not like.
“But I also think there is great value in us recognizing that not everyone can have their way in this circumstance, and it is useful for the country to see a Congress that is working together. That legislation signed by President Trump was passed by the United States Senate 96-0. So there is this effort in coming together to try to address challenges. And there are plenty of things in the legislation that I think have been beneficial, including beneficial to the people in Cloud County and in Kansas specifically,” Moran said.
Moran said the bill addresses the health of American citizens in a number of ways, as well the economy.
“We can’t continue in the circumstance we are in indefinitely. We don’t have the financial capabilities, the where-with-all, to do the things that government needs to do in this, and other circumstances, when people aren’t at work, and the economy is not creating opportunities for people,” Moran said, “I hate the circumstance we are in. I recognize that Kansans hate being told what to do. I know that people are anxious for the return. There are a lot of people, that because of trying to address the health side of things, are hurting financially and economically. And I look forward to working with the experts to try to figure out how to get us back in a better position than what we are in today as quickly as possible.”
Moran said that there is a need for people to isolate themselves, a need for social distancing, and a need to wash our hands.
“Unfortunately the things that we do, whatever our particular views are about what we should do in our own lives, have a consequence for our neighbors, our family and people we don’t even know,” Moran said, “I would say that getting us back to something closer to normal is a high priority, but it needs to be done in a safe, reasonable and rational manner. That, in my view, is going to be more determined not by me, and perhaps not by elected officials, but more by county health departments, more by Kansas Department of Health and Environment, more by the expertise in our medical world.”
Included in the CARES Act was the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP), which has been significant in providing economic assistance to small businesses in Cloud County.
Loans for small businesses in Kansas totaling $4.3 billion have been approved by the Small Business Administration (SBA).
“We had significant challenges that existed. We asked the SBA to put up in two weeks loan guarantees for $350 billion, and their normal workload is $30 billion of loan activity a year,” Moran said.
The PPP funds have now been depleted.
Included in the current legislation being negotiated by Congress are additional PPP funds to help those small businesses still in need.
“My goal now is to make certain we have those that are still waiting for this program the additional funds to make it available to them as well,” Moran said.
In addressing the economic impact that is being felt across the country during this time of crisis, Moran said that if there is a business lost in Kansas, the chances of getting it back is often remote, and that includes community hospitals.
Legislation passed by Congress has included millions of dollars for hospitals and county health departments in Kansas.
“Our health care providers are struggling because their revenues are down. What we normally do in a hospital isn’t being done, and yet the expenses and costs are up for preparation needed to care for patients if COVID strikes them,” Moran said.
Cloud County Health Center administrator David Garnas said that there has been a coordination with Emergency Preparedness and the Cloud County Health Department to help mitigate the spread of COVID-19.
There have been three positive tests in Cloud County.
“A lot of coordinated efforts have kept the outbreak down. I am very proud of the people in Cloud County. They have taken the stay home order very seriously, and I think that has really helped us to maintain our numbers, I think, for about the last 12 days,” Garnas said.
Garnas said the hospital revenue is down by 60 percent or more, but has not laid off or furloughed any staff.
“It is very scary right now. We know this is a temporary thing. Elective surgeries will come back online before we know it. People will feel more comfortable getting out in public and coming in for their routine checkups. It is not a forever thing,” Garnas said.
Cloud County Health Center is approving increased telehealth visits for outpatient visits.
Garnas informed Moran that Cloud County Health Center administration will go in front of the United States Department of Agriculture for final approval of a loan application to fund the construction of a new 74,000 square-foot hospital, with an estimated cost of $40.35 million.
“We feel confident that everything is steady as we go. I think care of people during a pandemic in a building that was built in the 1950s has definitely created some major challenges,” Garnas said, “It has reaffirmed in our minds, and hopefully yours and the USDA, that now is not the time to question whether we need to replace this building. Now is the time to re-energize ourselves as to why it is so important to replace this building. So we can take care of patients in our community and on top of that, we can take care of businesses that we pray to God survive.”
Moran said that infrastructure improvements are a great way to get the country back to work and the economy churning.
When it comes to getting the economy back up and running, Moran said that widespread testing is crucial, so it can be done safely.
Moran thanked the people in Cloud County for their efforts during this crisis.
“There are a lot of communities in Kansas, as we all know. I don’t have the capabilities to visit with each of them. I wanted to make sure that I visited with folks in north central Kansas, but I also chose the opportunity to visit with Cloud and Concordia because I really admire the efforts that go on in your community,” Moran said, “I am all about trying to make sure that rural America stays alive and well, and you all do such a great job of working together in a community. You just demonstrate the way it is supposed to be, and I am very grateful for that.”