The federal government often turns to Medicaid to address problems, mitigate damage, and serve vulnerable populations, especially in times of crisis. In a new issue brief, the U.S. Government Accountability Office looks at examples of how states and the federal government have turned to Medicaid in times of crisis and some of the policy considerations underlying those actions. Find these examples in the new GAO report “Medicaid in Times of Crisis.”
A week after announcing that it was withdrawing permission for states to implement approved Medicaid work requirements and would no longer entertain applications to introduce such programs, the Biden administration has asked the U.S. Supreme Court to cancel arguments next month on the legality of such requirements. As reported in SCOTUSblog, That argument is no longer necessary, Biden’s acting solicitor general, Elizabeth Prelogar, told the justices in a seven-page motion on Monday. The Biden administration has “preliminarily determined” that work requirements do not serve Medicaid’s goals, Prelogar wrote. Arkansas, one of the two states involved in the case, maintains that [...]
The following is the latest COVID-19 information from the federal government as of 2:45 p.m. on Monday, February 22. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services CMS has updated its FAQ on Medicare COVID-19 billing issues with 13 new questions addressing vaccines, monoclonal antibody treatments, and ambulatory surgery centers functioning as acute-care hospitals during the public health emergency. The questions, all labeled “2/19/2021,” can be found on pages 27-28, 135-137, and 152-153. Department of Health and Human Services HHS has updated its Provider Relief Fund FAQ with an updated question about how applicants should set up an account of behalf of [...]
The following is the latest COVID-19 information from the federal government as of 2:45 p.m. on Friday, February 19. The White House The White House announced that it is increasing the vaccine supply sent weekly to states to 13.5 million doses a week. This is a 57 percent increase over weekly shipments a month ago. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services CMS has updated its “COVID-19 Vaccines and Monoclonal Antibodies” web page. The page includes: information about Medicare Part B payments for COVID-19 and certain monoclonal antibodies during the public health emergency information about payment allowances and effective dates [...]
The following is the latest COVID-19 information from the federal government as of 2:15 p.m. on Tuesday, February 16. Department of Health and Human Services HHS has announced new staff appointments. They are: Office of the Secretary Sean McCluskie, Chief of Staff Anne Reid, Deputy Chief of Staff Dawn O’Connell, Senior Counselor, COVID Response Sarah Despres, Counselor for Public Health and Science Kristin Avery, White House Liaison Kathryn Alvarez, Deputy Chief of Staff, COVID Response Perrie Briskin, Senior Advisor to the Chief of Staff David Kessler, Chief Science Officer, COVID Response Shannon Myricks, Deputy White House Liaison Esmeralda Orozco, Special [...]
The following is the latest COVID-19 information from the federal government as of 3:15 p.m. on Thursday, February 11. The White House The White House has announced the membership of its COVID-19 Health Equity Task Force. See this White House fact sheet to learn more about the task force, its objectives, and its members. The White House has announced the introduction of a community health center vaccination program next week, with doses of vaccines to be sent directly to such facilities, and an increase in the supply of vaccines to be shared with states, tribes, and territories. Learn more from [...]
Individual hospitals will need to meet specific community benefit requirements to retain their non-profit status under a new program in the state of Oregon. As described in a news release from the Oregon Health Authority and Department of Human Services, Each tax-exempt hospital or hospital system in the state will receive a floor for community benefit spending based on their revenues, prior expenditures, financial health, and the needs of the population served. As part of the program, The bill created new standards for financial assistance to patients including increasing the income thresholds for charity care, limited medical debt collection and [...]
The following is the latest COVID-19 information from the federal government as of 2:45 p.m. on Tuesday, February 9. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services CMS has updated its “COVID-19 Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) on Medicare Fee-for-Service (FFS) Billing” document with three updated answers addressing data reporting requirements for ambulance service providers and changes in those requirements and payments for services in response to the COVID-19 emergency. The new information can be found on pages 55 and 56. HHS and CMS COVID-19 Stakeholder Calls HHS Clinical Rounds Peer-to-Peer Virtual Communities of Practice HHS’s Office of the Assistant Secretary for [...]
Becker’s Hospital Review has published a list of 35 officials who are currently part of the Biden administration’s health care team. Some are staff, some are appointments awaiting Senate confirmation, and some are serving on an interim basis until permanent replacements can be chosen and/or confirmed. The list includes links to information about each individual. See the list here.
The following is the latest COVID-19 information from the federal government as of 2:30 p.m. on Friday, February 5. The White House The White House has published a fact sheet describing the administration’s actions to increase the COVID-19 vaccine supply, launch a federal retail pharmacy program, and expand FEMA reimbursement to states for COVID-19-related services provided by FEMA and the National Guard. A separate memo from the president to the Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security describes the additional responsibilities delegated to that agency in greater detail. Provider Relief Fund A new proposal has been adopted by the [...]