The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) is planning for the federal Public Health Emergency (PHE) for COVID-19, declared under Section 319 of the Public Health Service (PHS) Act, to expire at the end of the day on May 11, 2023. You can find a fact sheet that includes HHS roadmap for the unwinding here. The fact sheet includes links to resources and data, and also lays out what will continue and end on this date. HHS Secretary Becerra informed state governors of this final extension in a letter dated February 11, 2023.

NOTE: The unwinding of the PHE is now separated from the end of Medicaid continuous coverage. Medicaid redeterminations will begin on April 1, 2023. For more details on your state's specific plans, use this map to connect to your state Medicaid website: Renew Your Medicaid or CHIP Coverage | Medicaid

The Biden Administration announced its intent to end the COVID-19 national emergency and public health emergency declarations on May 11, 2023. To ensure a smooth transition and help protect the health and well-being of the American people, CMS has taken immediate action to update fact sheets and other supporting resources to prepare for changes that will occur beginning on May 11.

What Can Application Processing Times Tell Us About State Readiness or the Unwinding?

In preparation for helping states/territories redetermine tens of millions of enrollees’ eligibility for Medicaid and CHIP following the March 31, 2023 end to the Medicaid continuous enrollment condition, CMS issued a state health official letter outlining new requirements for states in the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2023 (CAA, 2023). This process will be the single largest health coverage transition since the first open enrollment period of the Affordable Care Act. CMS is using every tool to ensure all eligible individuals can maintain their Medicaid or CHIP coverage or transition to other affordable coverage such as the Health Insurance Marketplaces. As part of these efforts, CMS developed a toolkit with important information for people with Medicaid or CHIP about steps they need to take to renew their coverage through those programs.

Many individuals and families who are no longer eligible for Medicaid or CHIP will be able to transition to other coverage options, including health insurance plans available from the Health Insurance Marketplaces. To help these consumers successfully transition, CMS has outlined Special Enrollment Period flexibilities for qualified individuals and their families who lose Medicaid or CHIP coverage following the unwinding of the Medicaid continuous enrollment condition.

CMS shared tools and best practices related to the home- and community-based services (HCBS) direct service workforce (DSW) as part of its commitment to strengthening the health care workforce. Direct service workers provide essential supports to older adults and people with intellectual and developmental disabilities, physical disabilities, and behavioral health needs. As part of the ongoing effort to support this workforce, CMS released an online training course and a series of resources that offer strategies and information on self-direction of home and community-based services, strengthening the DSW in rural areas, and emerging strategies for states. The online training also provides guidance and helpful information on finding, hiring, and retraining direct service workers.

The Center on Youth Voice, Youth Choice (CYVYC) is a national research, training, and resource center that promotes the use of alternatives to guardianship for youth with intellectual or developmental disabilities (I/DD).

CYVYC is now accepting the final round of applications for three more state teams to join their Community of Practice. If you are part of a team that wants to promote alternatives to guardianship for youth with I/DD in your state, read their FAQ and consider applying today.

Applications are due by 8:00 PM ET on Friday, February 24, 2023. If you have any questions about the application process or need any accommodations, please contact Morgan Whitlatch at mwhitlatch@cpr-ma.org or 202-596-6116.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) released updated data on vaccination coverage among kindergartners, showing a continued decline in the share of children with the recommended doses of routine childhood vaccines needed to prevent the spread of harmful diseases. The report includes data on vaccination rates by state for four vaccines: measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR); diphtheria, tetanus, and acellular pertussis (DTaP); poliovirus; and varicella. Coverage for all four vaccines declined in most states, with nationwide coverage of about 93% in the 2021-2022 school year, compared to 94% in the 2020-2021 school year, and 95% pre-COVID-19 pandemic. For additional analysis of this CDC report, you can also check out this blog from Georgetown Center for Children and Families.

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Family Voices is a national organization and grassroots network of families and friends of children and youth with special health care needs and disabilities that promotes partnership with families--including those of cultural, linguistic and geographic diversity--in order to improve healthcare services and policies for children.