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Coronavirus Response Newsletter
This post has been archived and contains information that may be out of date.
CDPH Updates Guidelines for Vaccine Eligibility
On March 11, the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) issued three documents updating its guidance on prioritizing individuals for the COVID-19 vaccine. In addition to providing important clarifications on the implementation of vaccines for people with high-risk medical conditions or disabilities, the guidance adds categories of individuals in specified settings who are eligible to be vaccinated due to their increased risk. Details about the guidance and who is now eligible to receive the vaccine are available on CHA’s website.
CDPH Issues Updated Guidance on Dialysis in SNFs
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The California Department of Public Health (CDPH) has issued All Facilities Letter (AFL) 20-66.1, which provides notification of updated guidance from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services for the provision of home dialysis services in skilled-nursing facilities (SNFs) to SNF residents through a collaborative arrangement between the SNF and a qualified dialysis facility.
CHA DataSuite Releases Hospital-Specific Analyses and Report
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CHA DataSuite has released hospital-specific analyses of the Value-Based Purchasing Program and Hospital Acquired Conditions Reduction Pogram, and the Medicare Quality Programs Overview Report.
CMS Issues Additional Info on SNF Visitation
This post has been archived and contains information that may be out of date.
The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) has issued the attached infographic in English and Spanish to provide additional information to residents, families, and others, regarding recent changes to guidance to skilled nursing facilities (SNFs) to safely expand visitation options during the COVID-19 pandemic public health emergency. Additional information is available on the CMS website.
Urge Congress to Delay Medicare Sequester Cuts
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Action needed:
Urge your representatives in the U.S. House and Senate to delay the 2% Medicare sequestration cuts to health care providers. CHA has submitted a letter to the delegation that may be used as a model for members’ letters.
To find your representatives’ contact information, visit www.house.gov/representatives/find
Timing:
Contact representatives this week, before Friday, March 19.
Background:
Although paused by Congress in last year’s COVID-19 relief legislation, the 2% cut to all Medicare payments – known as sequestration – is scheduled to resume April 1.
The House will vote Friday, March 19 on a bill, H.R. 1868, to further delay the 2% Medicare cut through the end of 2021. The legislation also includes technical corrections that will protect provider-based rural health clinics. The bill will need 60 votes to pass in the Senate, providing an opportunity for hospital priorities — including additional financial relief — that were not part of the $1.9 trillion American Rescue Plan signed by the President on March 12.
Contact your representatives and senators and urge them to support H.R. 1868 to delay the 2% Medicare cut for the remainder of this year. Eliminating these cuts would provide critical financial assistance to hospitals and health systems on the front lines of the pandemic.
CHA Issues Summary of American Rescue Plan Act
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CHA has issued a summary, prepared by Health Policy Alternatives, Inc., of the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021, a $1.9 trillion COVID-19 relief package focused on vaccines, testing, public health, and aiding individuals and families. The American Rescue Plan Act was signed into law on March 11.
DFEH Provides FAQS on Mandatory Vaccinations
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Last week, the California Department of Fair Employment and Housing (DFEH) updated its Employment Information on COVID-19 FAQs to address the issue of whether employers can mandate that employees are vaccinated against COVID-19 prior to returning to the workplace.
Department of Homeland Security Rescinds Public Charge Rule
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The Department of Homeland Security has formally rescinded the public charge rule issued by the Trump administration. The rule had allowed immigration officials to consider legal immigrants’ use of federal nutrition, housing, and health programs — including Medicaid — in their applications for residency.
States, Territories to Get Nearly $2.5 Billion from Biden Administration to Address Mental Illness and Addiction Crisis
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Last week, the Biden administration announced it will provide nearly $2.5 billion in funding to states and territories to address the nation’s mental illness and addiction crisis, which has worsened during the COVID-19 pandemic. Recent data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention confirm a rise in fatal overdoses during the pandemic, and this year’s increases in calls to helplines across the country are indicative of growing anxiety, depression, and trauma in Americans.