Health Care Checkup
April 1, 2021
|
|
On Wednesday, President Biden introduced the American Jobs Plan (AJP), a $2 trillion proposal to enhance the country’s aging infrastructure. The plan, which is part of Biden’s broader “Build Back Better” agenda, includes initiatives such as modernizing the energy industry, tackling climate change, creating “good-paying” union jobs, and out-competing China in manufacturing. The AJP would also invest billions of dollars into the nation’s roads, bridges, electric grid, and water systems. The plan would roll out over the course of a decade and would be funded by corporate tax hikes.
On Monday, the Biden Administration announced a coordinated effort among federal agencies to support renters and landlords during the pandemic. The announcement came after the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) placed a 90-day extension on the federal eviction moratorium.
At a speech on Monday, President Biden said that 90% of adults in the U.S. will be eligible to receive a COVID-19 vaccine by April 19. The other 10% will be eligible “no later than May 1.” He also announced that he will direct his COVID response team to “ensure there is a vaccine site within 5 miles of 90% of all Americans by April 19.”
On Tuesday, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) approved a process for distributing $249.95 million to help support health care providers’ telehealth costs amid the ongoing pandemic.
Pfizer announced that topline results of its adolescent vaccine trial found that the vaccine is 100% effective in participants ages 12-15. The CEO of Pfizer, Albert Bourla, said that the company plans to submit the data to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) as a proposed amendment to its Emergency Use Authorization, in hopes that this age group can be vaccinated before the start of the next school year.
A real-world study released on Monday by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) found that Pfizer and Moderna’s COVID-19 vaccines are 90% effective after the second dose and 80% after the first. Participants were tested weekly for the virus, for 13 consecutive weeks.
|
What to Expect Next Week: Congress is in recess until April 12. However, upon Congress’ return, it is expected that Congressional Democrats in the House and Senate will begin to push President Biden’s infrastructure plan.
|
|
President Biden Introduces American Jobs Plan
On Wednesday, President Biden introduced the American Jobs Plan (AJP), a $2 trillion proposal to enhance the country’s aging infrastructure. The plan, which is part of Biden’s broader “Build Back Better” agenda, includes initiatives such as modernizing the energy industry, tackling climate change, creating “good-paying” union jobs, and out-competing China in manufacturing. The AJP would also invest billions of dollars into the nation’s roads, bridges, electric grid, and water systems. Long-term care services under Medicaid would also be expanded. Specifically, the AJP would expand access to home and community-based services (HCBS) and extend the “Money Follows the Person” program, that supports innovative long-term care. The plan would roll out over the course of a decade and would be funded by corporate tax hikes. The President has proposed increasing the corporate tax rate from 21% to 28%, which is what it was before former President Trump rolled it back in 2017. Additionally, the global minimum tax rate would increase from 13% to 21%. The plan would also end federal tax breaks for fossil fuel companies. While infrastructure bills generally gain bipartisan support from Congress, many Republicans have already expressed dissatisfaction with the plan. Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) said, “It’s like a Trojan horse. It’s called infrastructure, but inside the Trojan horse it’s going to be more borrowed money, and massive tax increases on all the productive parts of our economy.” In the coming weeks, we expect that the Administration will announce a second infrastructure proposal with human capital and social welfare elements.
On Thursday, President Biden is expected to unveil a budget proposal for FY 2022. The proposal will outline discretionary spending numbers for defense and domestic legislative priorities.
Biden Administration Announces Multi-Agency Effort to Support Renters and Landlords
On Monday, the Biden Administration announced a coordinated effort among federal agencies to support renters and landlords during the pandemic. The announcement came after the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) placed a 90-day extension on the federal eviction moratorium. The Treasury Department, the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), the Department of Agriculture (USDA), the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB), and the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) are among the federal agencies working to assist tenants and landlords during the pandemic. The Treasury Department has continued to administer the Emergency Rental Assistance Program (ERAP) to assist those that are unable to pay rent and utilities due to the pandemic. The American Rescue Plan (ARP) has provided the program with an additional $21.5 billion to help reach more households. HUD will begin contacting grantees to communicate the CDC’s 90-day extension of the eviction moratorium. Additionally, the CFPB and the FTC will continue to monitor and investigate eviction practices to ensure that companies are complying with the eviction moratorium.
President Biden Announces 90% of Adults in the U.S. will be Eligible for Vaccination by April 19
At a speech on Monday, President Biden said that 90% of adults in the U.S. will be eligible to receive a COVID-19 vaccine by April 19. The other 10% will be eligible “no later than May 1.” He also announced that he will direct his COVID response team to “ensure there is a vaccine site within 5 miles of 90% of all Americans by April 19.” In the next three weeks, the government will add an additional 12 federally run mass vaccination sites across the country. The President said that this week, 33 million doses of vaccine were distributed, which set a record. Biden also called on all governors, mayors, and local leaders to maintain and reinstate the mask mandate. More information can be found here.
FCC Approves Second Round of COVID-19 Telehealth Program
On Tuesday, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) approved a process for distributing $249.95 million to help support health care providers’ telehealth costs amid the ongoing pandemic. The FCC originally awarded $200 million to the program last March through the CARES Act, and in December 2020, Congress appropriated the additional funds through the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2021. The FCC said that it will begin accepting applications from health care providers for the funds in about a month. The agency’s Acting Chairwoman, Jessica Rosenworcel, said “Today the FCC announced it is moving forward with Round 2 of its COVID-19 Telehealth Program. This past year has proven, without a doubt, that telehealth technology is critical to helping address inequities in access to health care services. And with today’s unanimous approval of the Report and Order, the FCC remains ready to address these challenges head on.” More can be found here.
COVID-19 Updates
Pfizer announced that topline results of its adolescent vaccine trial found that the vaccine is 100% effective in participants ages 12-15. The CEO of Pfizer, Albert Bourla, said that the company plans to submit the data to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) as a proposed amendment to its Emergency Use Authorization, in hopes that this age group can be vaccinated before the start of the next school year.
A real-world study released on Monday by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) found that Pfizer and Moderna’s COVID-19 vaccines are 90% effective after the second dose and 80% after the first. Participants were tested weekly for the virus, for 13 consecutive weeks.
The National Institutes of Health (NIH) is currently in the process of conducting a real-world study of 12,000 college students. The study randomizes the students into a vaccinated group and a delayed vaccination group. Close contacts of the vaccinated students are also monitored to examine whether the vaccinated students transmit the virus to them. Dr. Fauci said that he hopes in the next five months we will be able to know if vaccinated individuals can catch COVID-19 asymptomatically and spread the virus to others.
The CDC, in collaboration with the NIH, is launching a new program called, “Say Yes! COVID Test.” The initiative will provide up to 160,000 people in Pitt County, N.C., and Chattanooga, Tenn., with a month of free COVID-19 antigen tests. The agencies are hoping to learn whether COVID-19 infections can be decreased by self-testing three times per week. CDC Director Rochelle Walensky said, “Combined with efforts to increase vaccinations, this important initiative will help us understand how best to utilize these new at-home tests to reduce viral transmission rates in communities.”
HHS Announces Reduced Costs and Increased Access for Marketplace Health Coverage Under the American Rescue Plan
On Thursday, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary, Xavier Becerra, announced that lower health care costs are available for consumers on HealthCare.gov. Due to increased tax credits available to consumers through the ARP, premiums have been reduced for consumers. HHS said that premiums will decrease, on average, by $50 per person per month and $85 per policy per month. Additionally, “an average of four out of five consumers currently enrolled in a plan through HealthCare.gov will be able to find a plan for $10 or less per month.” The agency also said that three out of five uninsured adults eligible for coverage on HealthCare.gov may have access to a zero-premium plan. HHS will invest $50 million to promote the Special Enrollment Period through an advertising campaign that will run through August 15, 2021.
|
|
SENATE HEARINGS AND EXECUTIVE SESSIONS |
|
HOUSE HEARINGS AND EXECUTIVE SESSIONS |
|
ADMINISTRATION ANNOUNCEMENTS |
Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services
Food and Drug Administration
Guidance Documents from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
National Institutes of Health
|
|
1341 G Street NW
Washington, DC 20005
202-585-0258
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
