A large-scale scientific study of U.S. veterans found that coronavirus patients were at “substantial” risk of heart disease one year after their illness, increasing the odds of clots, arrhythmias, heart failure and related conditions. Read more.
COVID-19 Can Destroy Placenta and Lead to Stillbirths
New research bolsters evidence from small case reports and confirms that placenta damage rather than an infection of the fetus is the likely cause of many COVID-19-related stillbirths. Researchers in 12 countries, including the U.S., analyzed placental and autopsy tissue from stillbirths and newborns who died shortly after birth. The cases all involved unvaccinated women who had COVID-19 during their pregnancy. Researchers found that placentas were infected and extensively destroyed. Read more.
The Science is Clear: Racism is a Public Health Threat
On February 7, Health Affairs published a special issue highlighting the impact of structural racism on America’s health and healthcare—featuring new research on racial health disparities and the policies to address structural racism. Understanding and addressing the impact of racism, particularly structural racism, on health is essential to building equity in health. Read the full special issue.
Contract Pharmacy Restrictions Implemented
This week, GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) announced that it is implementing contract pharmacy restrictions under 340B. Fortunately, (and despite the somewhat confusing wording in the announcement) all FQHCs and other Federal “grantees” are exempted from these rules. GSK marks the 14th drug maker to implement 340B contract pharmacy restrictions and the 10th to explicitly exempt Federal “grantees” (which includes both FQHC grantees and look-alikes). Notably, GSK has informed hospitals that they can avoid the contract pharmacy restrictions if they provide data about their 340B drugs to the 340BESP website.
Share Lifeline with Qualified Patients
Lifeline is a federal government program that offers a monthly discount on phone, internet, or bundled package bills to qualified low-income people, which can give them the tools to access services like telehealth. Customers living on Tribal lands can receive an additional benefit.
Special Enrollment Period
In 2021, the Pennie Board of Directors approved a Low-Income Special Enrollment Period (SEP) for individuals and dependents with household incomes that do not exceed 150% of the Federal Poverty Levels in accordance with the 2022 Notice of Benefit and Payment Parameters. These monthly SEPs are available for both new and current enrollees. New enrollees can enroll in a plan in any metal level now. Soon, Pennie will announce current enrollees can move to a silver-level plan. This SEP is available while subsidies under the American Rescue Plan remain in effect.
Insurance Commissioner Leaves Pennsylvania
Jessica Altman, Pennsylvania’s Insurance Commissioner, was named as new CEO of Covered California the state’s health insurance marketplace for ACA coverage. She serves as the Insurance Commissioner and chair of the Pennsylvania Health Insurance Exchange (Pennie) Authority Board of Directors. She also holds a leadership position with the National Association of Insurance Commissioners and is chair of the Health Insurance and Managed Care Committee. Mike Humphreys, Chief of Staff at the Pennsylvania Insurance Department, will fill Jessica’s position on the Pennie Board. Pennsylvania is the 5th largest insurance market in the nation.
NEW: Mental Health Literacy Courses
Understanding and communicating about mental health is vital, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic, when more people report feeling sad, lonely, or stressed. Three new mental health literacy courses provide a foundation of mental health literacy, including effective strategies to help you recognize opportunities to be more thoughtful in the use of language in your everyday life and when treating patients with mental illnesses.
Help reduce mental health stigma. Take a free mental health literacy course today!
If r anyone you know is having suicidal thoughts, call the 24-hour National Suicide Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255.
ACS National Consortium Publishes New Consensus Recommendations for Improving Cancer Screening and Care in the US
On February 16, the American Cancer Society National Consortium for Cancer Screening and Care (ACS National Consortium) released a set of consensus recommendations in a new report Responding to the COVID-19 Pandemic: Improving Cancer Screening and Care in the US. Companion materials are also available.
The ACS National Consortium launched in March 2021 with the aim to quicken the nation’s collective response to the COVID-19 pandemic’s detrimental impact on cancer screening and care. The group represents a diverse, multi-sector coalition of 28 organizational members including government agencies, leading cancer advocacy organizations, professional societies, research institutions, national roundtables, leading health organizations, and other relevant industry leaders and partners.
More information can be found here at consortium.acs4ccc.org.
Continuing Resolution Passed; Government Funded through March 11, 2022
The U.S. Senate has passed a continuing resolution (CR), 65-27. This CR will continue to fund the federal government until March 11, 2022.
With passage of the CR, the National Rural Health Association (NRHA) expects Congress to fully fund the fiscal year (FY) 2022 budget before March 11. In NRHA’s February letter to Congressional Leadership, we encouraged Congress to fully fund the rural health safety net. Items include:
- Fully funding the Rural Maternity Obstetrics Management Strategies (RMOMS) program.
- Reauthorizing and increasing funding for the Medicare Rural Hospital Flexibility Grant Program. NRHA encourages funding to include technical assistance support for providers interested in applying for the new Rural Emergency Hospital (REH) designation.
NRHA expects the funding package to be an Omnibus package, meaning it will include non-appropriation related provisions. NRHA urges Congress to use this opportunity to provide support to rural providers continuing to combat the COVID-19 pandemic. Items includes:
- Extending relief from Medicare sequestration for the remainder of 2022.
- Continuing telehealth provisions beyond the duration of the public health emergency.
- Reinstating uncapped reimbursement for provider-based rural health clinics in exchange for voluntary inclusion in a quality reporting program.