Preparing for Potential Second Surge |
Even as many parts of our state reopen to commerce, on-campus learning, and indoor recreation, there is reason to hope we’ve crushed the curve. Though there was that 20% spike in COVID inpatients two weeks after Labor Day weekend.
So, we remain concerned about a new surge of COVID-19 in late fall. Cases transmitted through more indoor contacts, including holiday gatherings, coupled with seasonal cases of flu, could further burden your facilities and caregivers.
We continue to encourage protective measures. And MHA members are aggressively promoting and giving flu vaccines. These are important steps to keep Marylanders healthy.
At MHA, we’re working with the State to ensure there’s capacity to treat a surge of coronavirus patients, plus flu sufferers, without having to curtail elective procedures.
Over the next week, the Maryland Department of Health (MDH) in conjunction with MHA, will schedule calls with hospital leaders to review capacity modeling.
MHA also leads a steering committee to track and replenish your supplies of PPE. Participants include MDH, hospital supply chain and emergency management leads, and regional officials. The aim: to have a more comprehensive statewide infrastructure plan for emergency PPE by mid-October.
We also want to ensure your dedicated caregivers are supported. They’ve more than earned the “health care heroes” moniker, but the pandemic has taken a serious toll on their mental and physical health.
To offer some protection during crisis times—the one we’re in now plus future ones—MHA will advance legislation, the Health Care Heroes Protection Act, to establish proper liability safeguards. Your MHA team and hospital CEOs have been carrying this message to legislative leaders.
We all hope a second wave never materializes, yet we must prepare for it. Please tell us what more you need to continue caring for Maryland.
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Bob Atlas
President & CEO
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Changes to Remdesivir Allocation, Distribution |
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Beginning Oct. 1, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Office of the Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response (ASPR) will no longer oversee the allocation and distribution of commercially available remdesivir. As a result, the Maryland Department of Health (MDH) will no longer be involved in determining how much remdesivir hospitals may purchase based on Maryland’s overall allocation from HHS ASPR. After Oct. 1, purchase of remdesivir will revert to normal ordering processes, like other products used to treat patients. HHS ASPR also shared other remdesivir updates with MDH, including:
- Remdesivir cost is projected to remain stable. Hospitals will pay no more than the wholesale acquisition cost (WAC) set by Gilead—about $3,200 per treatment course
- ABC is projected to remain the sole distributor through 2020
- Continued supply is expected to be provided from Gilead
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Current terms of the Emergency Use Authorization for remdesivir still apply, but there will be no limit on how much hospitals can purchase
- Hospitals should continue to report data into TeleTracking as required by HHS
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HHS Publicly Opposes Eli Lilly’s Move to Limit Sale of Drugs to 340B Hospitals |
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The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) opposes a decision by Eli Lilly and other drug manufactures in scaling back the number of drugs it sells through the 340B program based on program reporting. In its letter, HHS questions the company’s decision to limit its participation with the discount program while it reported higher stock prices. In a decision now under legal review by HHS, Eli Lilly on Sept. 1 stopped offering discounts to pharmacies contracted to hospitals and clinics that participate in 340B. The move applied to all drugs except insulin. Merck, AstraZeneca, Sanofi, and Novartis have made a similar decision.
AHA, MHA, and several National 340B organizations advocated strongly against the move by Eli Lilly and others in forcing data reporting to limited access to the discounted 340B program. We will continue to update the field about HHS’ decision, including potential penalties for the firm. For questions, contact Jennifer Witten.
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MHA’s Telehealth Work Group Advances Telehealth’s Future in Maryland |
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MHA held its first Telehealth Work Group meeting Sept. 23 to discuss priorities and opportunities to maintain access to telehealth in Maryland. Members said telehealth adoption in some cases has increased by 1,000%. They discussed the need to preserve consumer choice and safety, the value of telehealth in inpatient and outpatient settings, and the importance of appropriate reimbursement structures, along with other important considerations. The group will continue to offer feedback as MHA prepares for the upcoming legislative session and responds to state and federal policy. For more information, contact Jennifer Witten.
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MHA Signs-on to Letter Protesting UnitedHealth Care’s (UHC) New Lab Test Registry Protocols |
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Earlier this year, UHC released new requirements for hospitals to register and report unique hospital laboratory test codes to UHC. Failure to report these unique test codes would result in claim denials. The deadline to register with UHC was extended to Dec. 1, and UHC intends to check code reporting starting Jan. 1. MHA joined a coalition of state hospital associations protesting this new policy and the undue burden on hospitals. Twenty-six state hospital associations signed-on to a letter to UHC highlighting concerns with the proposed policy. MHA will continue to monitor UHC’s laboratory registration policy website and update members appropriately. For more information, contact Diana Hsu.
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Registration Open for Maryland Rural Health Association Virtual Conference |
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Call for Applications: CHW State Advisory Committee Seats |
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Applications are being accepted for three seats on the State Community Health Worker Advisory Committee. The terms are ending in September 2021 for two "Community Health Worker" seats and one "Representative of a Community-Based Employer of Community Health Workers" seat. The new terms begin Oct. 1, 2021 for these seats.
Applications should be submitted to the the Governors' Appointments Office via an online form by Nov. 10. Select the Health Worker Advisory Committee, State Community from the drop down menu. Information on the Advisory Committee including upcoming scheduled meetings can be found on the Advisory Committee website.
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Compassion Tribe Virtual Conference: Pivoting to the Future |
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Registration is open for the Compassion Tribe Virtual Conference, 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
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Free Medication-Assisted Treatment Waiver Training |
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Providers Clinical Support System is offering free medication-assisted treatment waiver training Oct. 6. The eight-hour training includes four hours of in-person training and four hours of online training. Providers who complete the training will meet the requirement of the DATA 2000 to apply for a waiver to prescribe buprenorphine. The training is hosted by Maryland Addiction Consultation Service, Anne Arundel County Department of Health and Howard County Health Department. Registration is open.
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MHA Celebrates 50th Anniversary |
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MHA is celebrating 50 years advancing health and health care—it is a privilege to advocate and educate on your behalf. To commemorate this milestone by sharing news and information throughout the next month or two, including:
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Number of Marylanders at risk of losing health care coverage if
the Affordable Care Act is overturned:
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Maryland Hospital Association | www.mhaonline.org |
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