By Jennifer Garner Washington —

A group of physician, dental and health care organizations are urging Congress to include Section 501(c)(6) nonprofit associations in the Paycheck Protection Program.

In a Dec. 15 letter to leaders of the House and Senate, the groups, including the ADA, implored lawmakers to give these organizations the same access to the Paycheck Protection Program, or PPP, that has been granted to other nonprofit associations.

“At a time when health care professionals across America are caring for patients on the frontlines of this [public health emergency], national, state and local medical and dental organizations are supporting and providing educational resources so that the health care community has the tools needed to administer the highest quality care during this unprecedented time, and for the future,” they wrote.

The groups also said that placing a limit on the number of employees or the lobbying activities of those 501(c)(6) organizations that may seek relief via the PPP “would arbitrarily eliminate many of us and our state and local associations and societies.”

The coalition noted that during the pandemic, many small businesses, 501(c)(3) associations and 501(c)(6) medical and dental organizations have been adversely affected and are continuing to face unprecedented financial losses from past and future event cancellations.

“As you complete your work on the next phase of COVID-19 legislation, we urgently request critically needed support for the 501(c)(6) medical and dental community by allowing the same access to the Paycheck Protection Program that has been afforded to other non-profit associations,” the letter concluded. “In addition, we ask that you oppose the inclusion of any new limits on the number of employees or restrictions on lobbying activities, so that these associations can continue to serve as a trusted resource for health care professionals, patients and policymakers alike during this pandemic and beyond.”

For more information about the ADA’s advocacy efforts during COVID-19, visit ADA.org/COVID19Advocacy.