The COVID-19 pandemic has brought overwhelming grief to many families. At FEMA, our mission is to help people before, during and after disasters. We are dedicated to helping ease some of the financial stress and burden caused by the virus.

Under the Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act of 2021 and the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021, FEMA will provide financial assistance for COVID-19-related funeral expenses incurred after January 20, 2020.

COVID-19 Funeral Assistance Line Number

Applications accepted as of April 12, 2021
844-684-6333 | TTY: 800-462-7585

Hours of Operation:
Monday – Friday
9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Eastern Time

Call this dedicated toll-free phone number to get a COVID-19 Funeral Assistance application completed with help from FEMA’s representatives. Multilingual services will be available.

Proposed rule would require hospitals to report vaccination rates among health care staff

On April 27, CMS issued a proposed rule (CMS-1752-P) for inpatient and long-term care hospitals that builds on the Biden Administration’s key priorities to close health care equity gaps and provide greater accessibility to care. Major provisions in the proposed rule would fund medical residency positions in hospitals in rural and underserved communities to address workforce shortages and require hospitals to report COVID-19 vaccination rates among their workers to contain the spread of the virus.

CMS recognizes the importance of encouraging more health professionals to work in rural hospitals and underserved areas and the need to retain and train high-quality physicians to help address access to health care in these communities. In accordance with the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021, CMS is proposing to distribute 1,000 additional physician residency slots to qualifying hospitals, phasing in 200 slots per year over five years. CMS estimates that the additional funding for these additional residency slots, once fully phased in, will total approximately $0.3 billion each year to fund medical residency positions in hospitals to address the workforce shortages.

“Hospitals are often the backbone of rural communities – but the COVID-19 pandemic has hit rural hospitals hard, and too many are struggling to stay afloat,” said HHS Secretary Xavier Becerra. “This rule will give hospitals more relief and additional tools to care for COVID-19 patients, and it will also bolster the health care workforce in rural and underserved communities. The Biden Administration is committed to expanding health equity in communities across the country, especially in rural America.”

Consistent with President Biden’s Executive Order 13985 on Advancing Racial Equity and Support for Underserved Communities Through the Federal Government, CMS is also committed to addressing significant and persistent inequities in health outcomes in the U.S. through improving data collection to better measure and analyze disparities across programs and policies. In this proposed rule, CMS is soliciting feedback on opportunities to leverage diverse sets of data (race, Medicare/Medicaid dual eligible status, disability status, LGTBQ+, socioeconomic status, etc.) and new methodological approaches to advance equity through the quality measurement and value-based purchasing programs.

The rule also proposes to implement section 9831 of the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 to permanently reinstate the imputed floor-wage-index for all-urban States for FY 2022.

Additionally, the rule proposes to update Medicare Fee-for-Service payment rates and policies for acute care inpatient hospitals and long-term care hospitals for fiscal year 2022. CMS estimates total Medicare spending on acute care inpatient hospital services will increase by about $2.5 billion in fiscal year 2022.

Strengthening COVID-19 Ongoing Response

In November 2020, CMS established the New COVID-19 Treatments Add-on Payment (NCTAP) to mitigate any potential financial disincentives for hospitals to provide new COVID-19 treatments during the Public Health Emergency (PHE). The proposed rule would extend the NCTAP for certain eligible technologies through the end of the fiscal year in which the PHE ends.

In addition, the proposed rule seeks to strengthen the ongoing response to the PHE and future health threats by leveraging meaningful measures for quality programs. CMS is proposing the adoption of the COVID-19 Vaccination Coverage among Healthcare Personnel (HCP) Measure to require hospitals to report COVID-19 vaccinations of workers in their facilities. This proposed measure is designed to assess whether hospitals are taking steps to limit the spread of COVID-19 among their workforce, reduce the risk of transmission within their facilities, help sustain the ability of hospitals to continue serving their communities through the PHE, and assess the nation’s long-term recovery and readiness efforts.

Additionally, CMS is proposing to modify the Promoting Interoperability program requirements for eligible hospitals and critical access hospitals to expand reporting within the Public Health and Clinical Data Exchange Objective. The proposal would require hospitals to report on all four of the following measures: Syndromic Surveillance Reporting, Immunization Registry Reporting, Electronic Case Reporting, and Electronic Reportable Laboratory Result Reporting.

Requiring hospitals to report these four measures would help to prepare public health agencies to respond to future health threats and a long-term COVID-19 recovery by strengthening public health functions, including early warning surveillance, case surveillance, and vaccine uptake, which will increase the information available to help hospitals better serve their patients. Requiring these measures would enable nationwide syndromic surveillance for early warning of emerging outbreaks and threats; automated case and laboratory reporting for rapid public health response; and local and national visibility on immunization uptake so public health can tailor vaccine distribution strategies.

More Information:

• Proposed rule: CMS will accept comments until June 28
• Fact sheet

As COVID-19 vaccines continue rolling out across the country, CMS is taking action to protect the health and safety of our nation’s patients and providers and keeping you updated on the latest COVID-19 resources from HHS, CDC and CMS.

With information coming from many different sources, CMS has up-to-date resources and materials to help you share important and relevant information on the COVID-19 vaccine with the people that you serve. You can find these and more resources on the COVID-19 Partner Resources Page and the HHS COVID Education Campaign page. We look forward to partnering with you to encourage our beneficiaries to get vaccinated when they have the opportunity. For more information, visit the CMS COVID-19 Policies and Guidance page.

SPREAD THE WORD

As of Monday, April 19, 2021, every person 16 years and older in the United States will be eligible to receive a COVID-19 vaccine. You can help spread the word so every adult knows they are now eligible. Use the NEW COVID-19 Community Corps Social Media Toolkit to spread the word about expanded eligibility.

HHS Campaigns

HHS just launched a COVID-19 Public Education Campaign, We Can Do This, which is a national initiative to increase public confidence in and uptake of COVID-19 vaccines while reinforcing basic prevention measures such as mask wearing and social distancing.

Campaign resources and toolkits are available to reach diverse communities. NEW toolkits are now available for different populations including:

• American Indian/Alaskan Native and Tribal Leaders Toolkit
• Older Adults Toolkit
• Nurses & Health Care Workers Toolkit
• Essential Workers in Agriculture Toolkit

These toolkits include helpful resources such as fact sheets, videos, posters, print ads and social media. For more information, go to the Campaign Resources and Toolkits page, and search the available resources by audience, format and language to find what you need for the people that you serve.

Share VaccineFinder: Call, text, or forward this email to people you know who are having trouble finding a vaccine in their area. Vaccination is the best tool to defeat this pandemic – access shouldn’t be a barrier. You can find the VaccineFinder here.

HHS Initiatives

April is National Minority Health Month. This year, HHS is focusing on the impacts COVID-19 is having on racial and ethnic minority and American Indian and Alaska Native communities and underscoring the need for these vulnerable communities to get vaccinated as more vaccines become available. The theme for National Minority Health Month is #VaccineReady.

Spread the word by accessing and sharing the resources in the National Minority Health Month Toolkit, which has resources, sample social media messages, and downloadable graphics.

Visit the website (English | Spanish), sign up to receive email updates on news and activities, and follow HHS on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram.

For more information, please contact us: Partnership@cms.hhs.gov

Round 2 of Telehealth Program Will Provide an Additional $249 Million to Support Health Care Providers and Patients In All 50 States, DC, and Territories

The Federal Communications Commission’s Wireline Competition Bureau will begin accepting applications for Round 2 of the COVID-19 Telehealth Program on Thursday, April 29, 2021 at 12:00 PM ET at www.fcc.gov/covid19telehealth. The filing window will last seven calendar days and close on Thursday, May 6, 2021 at 12:00 PM ET. Round 2 of the COVID-19 Telehealth Program is a $249.95 million federal initiative that builds on the $200 million program established as part of the CARES Act.

“For over a year, health care providers have fought on the front lines of this pandemic and have had to rapidly innovate to support the health and well-being of all Americans. Telehealth has been at the forefront of this effort and I’m pleased to announce that additional support is just around the corner,” said Acting Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel. “Today the FCC announced it will open the application process for the second half of COVID-19 Telehealth Program funding later this month. The FCC is dedicated to moving quickly to review and approve applications for this funding to support health care providers and patients across the country.”

The FCC’s COVID-19 Telehealth Program supports the efforts of health care providers to continue serving their patients by providing reimbursement for telecommunications services, information services, and connected devices necessary to enable telehealth during the COVID-19 pandemic.

For additional information on eligibility and the application process, review the Application Process Guidance available on the Universal Service Administrative Company’s COVID-19 Telehealth Program webpage at https://www.usac.org/about/covid-19-telehealth-program/.

Questions specific to the application process should be directed to Round2TelehealthApplicationSupport@usac.org.

With all Pennsylvania adults now eligible for the COVID-19 vaccine, Pennsylvania Secretary of Agriculture Russell Redding hosted a virtual discussion with Pennsylvania farmers who have already received the COVID-19 vaccine. They were joined by Dr. Mark Goedecker, regional medical director for WellSpan Health, who discussed the value of vaccinated Pennsylvanians sharing their story to boosting confidence and acceptance among others.

“This vaccine is as essential as our agriculture industry and we want to arm them with the information they need to make decisions with confidence,” said Redding. “Today we heard from farmers who shared their ‘why’ for getting vaccinated and that commonly included something more essential than food and health: family.

“We’ve all missed out over the past year, and one thing we can’t afford to lose is more time with those we love. Parents, children, brothers and sisters – there’s nothing to replace them. They are the ultimate reason.”

Those who work in Pennsylvania’s essential food and agriculture industry and choose to get the COVID-19 vaccine are protecting themselves, their family, their co-workers, and their community. In addition to this, they’re protecting the availability and accessibility of food. Vaccination is a personal decision which is highly influenced by confidence. Vaccine champions – those who have already been successfully vaccinated – are critical to building community confidence.

“At WellSpan Health we are committed to decreasing vaccine hesitancy, and it starts with educating those in our communities on the science, while also working to remove barriers to accessing the vaccine,” explained Goedecker. “We can and will overcome this pandemic, but it takes all of us doing our part to make that a reality. This shot of hope is a huge step in getting us there.”

Dr. Goedecker discussed the importance of those interested in learning about the COVID-19 vaccine to find information from credible sources that are regularly updated. And while the internet is a useful tool for research, when it comes to health-related issues the internet should not replace a discussion with a healthcare professional.

During a Facebook Live event, three Pennsylvania farmers discussed their reasons for choosing to get the COVID-19 vaccine.

Chris Hoffman, PA Farm Bureau Vice President, Mifflin & Juniata County Farmer

“I got the COVID-19 vaccine to protect my health and my family’s health,” said Hoffman. “Plus, if I do get COVID down the line, the antibodies from the vaccine will lessen the affect and decrease my risk for serious illness.

“I understand that getting the vaccine is a personal choice, but I have chosen to trust the science…just as I do on the farm. We use vaccine to protect the health and safety of our animals in our herd. If we accept science and technology in farming, we should do the same for our own health.”

John Good, The Good Farm, Lehigh County Organic Vegetable Farmer

“We operate a small family farm with a three- to five-person field-crew. One of our greatest fears over the past year was getting sick with COVID-19 and unable to work for a few weeks,” said Good. “This would be incredibly difficult for us to deal with during any season on a vegetable farm, when production schedules are always extremely tight. It could ruin our entire season. Another reason that was very important for us was to be able to spend more time with our parents, who are high-risk individuals.”

Recognizing some farmers are on the fence and leery about the process, John provided some advice and perspective.

“It’s worth it for so many reasons. The sense of relief you will feel after you get your shots and know it’s one less thing you will have to worry about in the background of an always busy farming season is probably reason enough,” said Good. “But also, the only way we are going to end this pandemic once and for all is through vaccination. We felt it was our duty as responsible citizens to be a part of that solution.

“The vaccination process was very efficient and simple. We had minor side effects like a sore arm and feeling a little under the weather for a day, but nothing too big. We are so happy to see widely available vaccinations and a decreasing level of community spread in our county,” added Good.

Phoebe Brubaker, Village Acres Farm, Juniata County Vegetable and Flower Farmer

“I couldn’t wait to get vaccinated. It gave me so much hope that we could safely return to our farmers markets and distribution sites this summer without worrying about spreading a dangerous virus to our customers,” said Brubaker. “It’s also a way for me to protect my mom, who is in her late seventies, and a very integral part of our farming operation.”

Phoebe talked about the impact of COVID-19 on rural communities. While COVID-19 hit them later than more urban areas of Pennsylvania, hospitals were quickly overwhelmed.

“We need to do our part to protect our communities and our elders,” Brubaker added. “They hold a wealth of information about farming and many have weathered the hardships of small pox and measles outbreaks. They did their part to get vaccinated then and control the disease. Now it’s our turn.”

State Resources

The Wolf Administration stresses the role Pennsylvanians play in helping to reduce the spread of COVID-19:

• Wash your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds or use hand sanitizer if soap and water are not available.
• Cover any coughs or sneezes with your elbow, not your hands.
• Clean surfaces frequently.
• Stay home to avoid spreading COVID-19, especially if you are unwell.
• If you must go out, you are required to wear a mask when in a business or where it is difficult to maintain proper social distancing.
• Download the COVID Alert PA app and make your phone part of the fight. The free app can be found in the Google Play Store and the Apple App Store by searching for “covid alert pa”.

The Pennsylvania Departments of Health (DOH) and Education (PDE) encouraged all students at Pennsylvania colleges and universities to receive their COVID-19 vaccination before the semester ends. DOH and PDE officials are encouraging all institutions of higher education to work with local providers to ensure vaccination opportunities are available before students leave for the summer.

“As students are now eligible for the COVID-19 vaccine, we encourage them to find a provider and get vaccinated before they travel back home at the end of the semester,” Acting Secretary of Health Alison Beam said. “We look forward to higher education institutions connecting with our provider network or the Federal Retail Pharmacy Partners to coordinate vaccination opportunities for their students.”

The DOH vaccine jurisdiction includes 66 counties across Pennsylvania, and everyone over 16 is eligible for the COVID-19 vaccine – regardless of occupation, health conditions, residency, or citizenship. Students do not have to be a resident of Pennsylvania to receive the vaccine here.

“The COVID-19 vaccine will allow postsecondary institutions to provide more in-person learning and improve the safety of our campus communities for our students, faculty, and staff,” said Acting Secretary of Education Noe Ortega. “I encourage all students enrolled in PA’s postsecondary institutions to take advantage of this available resource and get the vaccine before the semester ends.”

“There are safe and effective vaccines available, and we encourage all students to get vaccinated today. Even if students are concerned about not getting their second dose while at school, it is important to seek out the vaccine now and to later find the second dose if needed,” Acting Physician General Dr. Denise Johnson said. “When fully vaccinated, students can travel home safely knowing they are armed with the best protection against this virus. Even when vaccinated, it is important to wear a mask, practice social distancing, and wash hands frequently.”

To date, more than 6.6 million doses have been administered to more than 4.3 million people. You can find vaccine demographics in our vaccine dashboard here.

Students can visit the DOH vaccine map to find a provider nearest them or call the PA Health Hotline  at 1-877-PA-HEALTH (1-877-724-3258) with questions.

While vaccine supply from the federal government remains limited, the Department of Health is working to ensure the vaccine is provided in a way that is ethical, equitable and efficient.

• The Your Turn tool provides a way to register to be alerted when it’s your turn to be vaccinated.
• A commonwealth COVID-19 vaccination guide explains the current process for getting one. Pennsylvanians with questions about the vaccination process can call the Department of Health hotline at 1-877-724-3258.
• Vaccine provider map to find a COVID-19 vaccine provider near you.
• All of the locations that received vaccine and how much they have received can be found on the COVID-19 Vaccine Distribution webpage.
• Vaccine dashboard data can also be found on the website to find more information on the doses administered and showcase demographic information.
• Pennsylvanians can provide feedback on the Pennsylvania COVID-19 Interim Vaccination Plan by clicking on the Plan Feedback Form square under Popular Vaccine Topics here.
• Frequently asked questions can be found here.

As part of NIOSH’s efforts to keep our readers up to date on the CDC and NIOSH COVID-19 response, here is a summary of new information available:

Vaccination Resources

Post-vaccination Considerations for Workplaces

CDC has developed information for workplaces to help them properly evaluate and manage employees who have signs and symptoms after receiving a COVID-19 vaccine. Occupational health programs and public health officials can use the strategies, which apply to employees working in various settings.

Ventilation Resources

Upper-room Ultraviolet Germicidal Irradiation
CDC published this new webpage with information on upper-room ultraviolent germicidal irradiation (UVGI), which can be effective at reducing exposures to SARS-CoV-2 in some group settings. SARS-CoV-2 is the virus that causes COVID-19. UVGI uses ultraviolet (UV) energy to kill viral, bacterial, and fungal organisms. Other ventilation strategies, such as fans that bring in outdoor air, high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filter systems, and open windows, can also help reduce infectious viral particles in the air.

For More Information

For more information, please visit the COVID-19 webpage. To stay up to date on new developments, sign up for the COVID-19 newsletter.