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October 4, 2020
Get Out the Vote
Caregivers in Maryland hospitals and health systems work year-round to heal patients and to keep their communities healthy. They also have an opportunity to help shape the direction of health care in our state and nation by casting their votes in the November 3 general election.

Maryland hospitals collectively are among the largest employers in our state, with more than 108,000 employees. Such a large constituency should make its voice count in this election and in future ones—from the local level to the presidency.

The services your hospitals deliver—and our own organizations—are inherently nonpartisan. Our mission remains the same no matter who holds public office: to care for Maryland.

Yet, that does not mean that our associates should shy away from participating in the electoral process.

Health care always ranks among all voters’ top concerns when casting their ballots. This year, especially, the lingering coronavirus pandemic makes it likely people will have health issues on their minds as they vote. Our workforce is uniquely well qualified to make educated decisions about the future of health policy.

To help ensure hospitals and your employees join in the electoral process, the American Hospital Association launched We Care … We Vote with toolkits, voter registration information, and sample CEO messages.

Let’s all take this opportunity to support health care priorities up and down the ballot. Vote on, or before, November 3—whether by mail or in person—and encourage others to do the same.
Bob Atlas
President & CEO
New Process for Remdesivir Allocation
Beginning Oct. 1, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), the Office of the Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response (ASPR), and State Departments of Health stopped allocating Veklury (remdesivir). This change is possible given that there is now sufficient supply of Veklury (remdesivir) to meet demand, even if a surge of COVID-19 cases occurs.

Hospitals now can submit orders for Veklury (remdesivir) directly to AmerisourceBergen to treat hospitalized COVID-19 patients. With this change, AmerisourceBergen, through its specialty distribution capabilities, will remain the sole U.S. distributor of Veklury (remdesivir) through the end of this year. It is important to note that orders should be placed on an as needed basis to treat current patients in accordance with EUA documentation for Veklury (remdesivir).

Any hospital that does not have an account with AmerisourceBergen can establish one by visiting their online ordering portal. Additionally, AmerisourceBergen is available to answer questions or concerns to assist in making this process a smooth transition. AmerisourceBergen can be contacted directly at 877-746-6273 or via email at remdesivir@amerisourcebergen.com. Additional details are available here.
MDH, DOD Release New Guidance on Hospital Visitation Policies
The Maryland Department of Health (MDH) and the Department of Disabilities (DOD) released a revised joint notice and updated Frequently Asked Questions document on Sept. 24 regarding the requirement that hospital visitation policies allow for disabled patients to have access to support persons during the public health emergency. In the revised guidance, MDH and DOD require this notice to be publicly posted in an area that is accessible to all patients. The notice provides contact information for MDH’s Office of Equal Opportunity, Equal Access Compliance Unit, and the Maryland Commission on Civil Rights, where patients can file a complaint if it appears a health care facility is in violation of the state’s notice. The new guidance applies to hospitals and all “related institutions, freestanding medical facilities, freestanding ambulatory care facilities, chronic disease centers, hospice care facilities, comprehensive rehabilitation facilities, nursing homes, and assisted living programs”. For questions or concerns about complying with this requirement, contact Jane Krienke.
HHS COVID-19 Reporting Demo and Q&A for Maryland Hospitals
MHA hosted a TeleTracking demonstration and Q&A session for hospitals Sept. 24 about the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) daily COVID-19 data submission process and best practices. To access a recording of the webinar, click here. Additionally, HHS daily COVID-19 data resources, including FAQs, compiled from MHA conversations and emails with HHS and CMS, are available on MHA’s website. For questions, contact Ahmed Elsayed or Katie Eckert
HHS Announces $20B Distribution from Provider Relief Fund
The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) announced a Phase 3 General Distribution of $20 billion from the Provider Relief Fund (PRF). The funds will be open to previously ineligible providers (e.g., those who began practicing in 2020) and will permit those who have already received funds through previous distributions to apply for additional funding that reflects financial losses and changes in operating expenses due to the pandemic. Providers can begin applying for funds on Oct. 5 and will have through Nov. 6 to apply.

Those eligible for the funding, include:

  • Any provider who previously received, rejected, or accepted a General Distribution PRF payment
  • Behavioral health providers, including those that previously received funding as well as new providers
  • Health care providers that began practicing between Jan. 1 and March 31, including Medicare, Medicaid, CHIP, dentists, assisted living facilities, and behavioral health providers

To date, HHS allocated approximately $144 billion of the $175 billion in Provider Relief funding. Some portion of the remaining funds will be distributed to providers who test or treat uninsured COVID-19 patients after Feb. 4, 2020. Providers received and attested to roughly $1.4 billion for the treatment and testing of uninsured COVID-19 patients, as of Oct. 2.
New Md. Laws Take Effect
Several bills that passed during the 2020 Maryland General Assembly took effect Oct. 1. Key bills affecting health and health care are referenced below and included in the 2020 Post-Session Action Map:

  • Financial Application Policies—Hospitals must revise financial application policies for free and reduced-cost care. The law requires hospitals to create a mechanism to reconsider patients’ financial assistance application, update asset test exclusions, change how family income is determined, alter processes to notify patients about financial assistance policies, screen for health insurance eligibility, and set review time for applications. The law also establishes reporting requirements and places prohibitions on considerations for financial assistance eligibility. This document, created by MHA, can help members compare past requirements with the new to assist with implementation. For additional information, contact Jennifer Witten.

  • Identification Tags and Badges—Beginning this week hospitals and nursing facilities can shield an employee’s last name on ID tags when caring for patients. This was in response to the rise of workplace violence in health facilities. MHA partnered with the Maryland Nurses Association to support the bill.

  • Emergency Evaluations and Peace Officers—This law requires, to the extent practicable, that peace officers notify an emergency facility prior to bringing an individual to the facility. In addition, any health care professional under contract with the facility can request that a peace officer stay with an individual who may be violent or aggressive. Prior to the passage of this law, only a physician could make the request.

  • Confidentiality of Medical Records and Emergency Facilities—MHA led an effort in the 2020 session to strengthen Maryland’s crisis response system by passing this law which clarifies that other facilities, not just hospitals, can be designated sites where police officers can take individuals on emergency petitions.
Board of Revenue Estimates Revises Projections
Last week, the Maryland Board of Revenue Estimates increased the state’s fiscal year 2021 revenue estimates by $1.4 billion and the fiscal year 2022 estimates by $2.1 billion. These revised projections are based off a special meeting the Board held in May at the peak of the COVID-19 surge. The revenue projections are $672 million less than the March estimates, which were calculated prior to the pandemic. The Board cautioned that various federal assistance programs that are due to expire have helped revenues and that the state budget outlook continues to be bleak as a result of the pandemic. 
U.S. Census Count Continues
The U.S. Census count is underway, and there is still time to respond and encourage your communities to do the same before the deadline. The 2020 Census will determine congressional representation, inform hundreds of billions in federal funding annually, and provide data that will impact communities for the next decade.

Learn more and find resources to help encourage participation on the U.S. Census website.
MHA Members Offered Free Attendance to Compassion Tribe Virtual Conference
MHA members are eligible for free registration to the Compassion Tribe Virtual Conference: Pivoting to the Future, hosted by the Maryland Healthcare Education Institute and the Healthcare Experience Foundation. The event, Oct. 29-30 is focused on supporting, encouraging and building resilient teams. Session topics include:

  • Why Compassion Matters
  • Leading into an Uncertain Future
  • Courageous Conversations
  • Maintaining People Centeredness
  • Communicating Up, Listening Down

Visit mhei.org/programs to learn more.
MHCC Telehealth Work Group Holds First Meeting
The Maryland Health Care Commission (MHCC) hosted the virtual kick-off meeting of the Telehealth Policy Work Group on Sept. 30. Attendees included representatives from provider advocacy organizations, consumer groups, commercial payers, Maryland Medicaid, telehealth vendors, and the Behavioral Health Administration. Provider groups said they appreciated federal and state telehealth waivers during the COVID-19 pandemic and encouraged making them permanent. Maryland Medicaid shared that they are working on regulatory changes to allow the patient’s home as an originating site. Commercial payers indicated they are still evaluating data on telehealth before making any permanent policy changes. MHA will continue to participate in the work group and maintain its advocacy for expanded telehealth usage. For additional information, contact Jennifer Witten.
HCAM Speaker Series: Why Businesses Need to Support Mental Health
HealthCare Access Maryland will host a webinar Oct. 6 at 9:30 a.m., Why Businesses Need to Support Mental Health. This is the latest in the organization’s fall speaker series, which MHA is sponsoring. Tonier Cain, CEO and founder of Tonier Cain International, will share her personal story of trauma, and there will be a panel discussion about the importance of businesses addressing and supporting mental health. Panelists include Jeff Richardson, of Sheppard Pratt Community Services, and Adam Rosenberg, of LifeBridge Health. Registration details are available here
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