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Washington DC Update 4/27/2020
SAMHSA’s Disaster Distress Helpline provides 24/7, 365-day-a-year crisis counseling and support to people experiencing emotional distress related to natural or human-caused disasters.

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Be on alert for potential scams related to government assistance to taxpayers impacted by the coronavirus. See:

Greetings from Washington, DC
Last week, another law was enacted to provide financial relief to small businesses and health care providers. Yet another bill is in the works, to be taken up after Congress returns to town (now expected on May 4). Health and disability advocates are hoping to secure additional funding for providers, states, and various programs (e.g., Family-to-Family Health Information Centers) that have experienced additional costs related to the coronavirus pandemic. In other news, the administration has issued a new toolkit for states to facilitate telehealth, especially for children. Read about these topics and more in this week’s Update.

MAY 5 DEADLINE FOR SSI BENEFICIARIES WITH CHILDREN: Recipients of Supplemental Security Income (SSI) who have dependent children and did not file 2018 or 2019 taxes need to act by Tuesday, May 5, in order to receive additional payments for their eligible children quickly. They should immediately go to the  IRS’s webpage  and visit the  Non-Filers: Enter Your Information  section to provide their information. Otherwise, the payments for their children will be delayed until 2021, after a 2020 tax return is filed. For more information, see the “SSI/Social Security” section, below.

Special Announcements:
Family Voices LFPP Virtual Family Engagement Convening
The Family Voices Leadership in Family Professional Partnerships (LFPP) Virtual Family Engagement Convening is underway! This event is for family leaders, Title V professionals, and other stakeholders to discuss successful strategies and best practices on how to improve engagement of families, particularly those from medically underserved populations. The sessions also cover emergency responsiveness in times of crisis; organizational development; assessment of family engagement; and more. In place of an in-person convening, eight online Zoom sessions are scheduled from April 21 to May 19.  Read more and register .

The April edition of the eBlast, a newsletter for families of children/youth with special health care needs, was a special three-part series to support families during the pandemic. Available in both English and Spanish , the topics covered:  
  • Self-care for family caregivers
  • Telehealth
  • Parenting during quarantine
IN THIS ISSUE

  • Coronavirus Legislation
  • Administration
  • Medicaid and CHIP
  • Civil Rights for People with Disabilities--HHS Office of Civil Rights
  • SSI/Social Security Administration
  • Paid Leave
  • Telehealth
  • Other COVID News and Resources
  • New and Updated CDC Resources
  • Noncoronavirus News and Resources
  • TRICARE and Military Health System (COVID and non-COVID issues)
  • Your Input Sought
  • Upcoming Webinars and Calls
  • Of Possible Interest
CORONAVIRUS LEGISLATION
In Congress
Congress Passes Paycheck Protection Program and Health Care Enhancement Act
On April 24, the president signed the Paycheck Protection Program and Health Care Enhancement Act ( H.R. 266 ). The day before, the House had passed the bill, which had previously been amended and passed by the Senate on a voice vote. While most Senators have not yet returned to DC, a quorum was present in the House, and the bill was approved by a roll-call vote , 388-5. The bill replenishes funds for the Paycheck Protection Program ($321 billion), which provides small-business and nonprofit financial relief. The bill also includes an additional $60 billion in economic disaster loans for small businesses, funding for hospitals and other providers ($75 billion), and for coronavirus testing ($25 billion). It does not include assistance for states and localities. For more details, see this blog post from the National Conference of State Legislatures . See also House Passes $484 Billion Relief Package after Weeks of Partisan Battles (Politico, 4/23/20).

Although the bill passed on the 23 rd is the fourth coronavirus bill, it is often referred to as package 3.5 because it mainly enhances existing programs without creating new policies. Another bill, known as Package 4, or CARES 2, is being developed now, and is expected to be considered after Congress returns to DC , which is now scheduled for May 4. Health, disability, and family a dvocates are promoting a number of provisions they would like to see in the next bill, including an increase in the federal share of Medicaid ( also sought by the bipartisan National Governors Association ), funding provided specifically for home and community-based care, recruitment and hazard pay for healthcare workers , expansions of paid sick leave and paid family leave, a funding increase for Family-to-Family Health Information Centers, and measures to address child welfare .

Advocates will also be opposing efforts by some governors of both parties to weaken the previously-enacted Medicaid “maintenance of effort” (MOE) provisions, on which the extra federal Medicaid match is conditioned. Among other requirements, the MOE bars states from disenrolling any Medicaid beneficiaries during the public health emergency and requires them to cover COVID-19 testing and treatment without cost sharing. It also prohibits states from reducing benefits for any beneficiary enrolled in Medicaid on or after March 18, 2020, through the end of the month in which the emergency period ends. Accordingly, children should continue to receive EPSDT benefits during the emergency period even if they otherwise would have aged out. See Families First Coronavirus Response Act – Increased FMAP FAQs (updated 4/13/20), Q 12.

Bill to Prevent Finalizing Medicaid Fiscal Accountability Rule
In November 2019, the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) issued a proposed rule—known as the Medicaid Fiscal Accountability Rule (MFAR)—that would, in effect, limit the ability of states to raise funds to finance their share of their Medicaid programs. Health care advocates are concerned that the rule, if finalized, would ultimately cause states to cut Medicaid eligibility, benefits, and/or provider reimbursement. On April 17, Reps Nanette Diaz Barragán (D-CA) and Lizzie Fletcher (D-TX), introduced a bill ( H.R. 6521 ) to prevent the administration from finalizing this regulation. 
ADMINISTRATION
In an April 23 press release , the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) announced that it developed a Workforce Toolkit for individuals managing workforces during the COVID-19 pandemic. The toolkit provides information on funding flexibilities, liability protections, and workforce training.

For more on these recommendations, see:
MEDICAID & CHIP
COVID-19 Medicaid Waiver Soup Explained (Georgetown Center for Children and Families blog, 4/23/20)


Streamlining Medicaid Enrollment during COVID-19 Public Health Emergency (Center on Budget & Policy Priorities, 4/7/20)

Uninsured and Unemployed? Medicaid and CHIP Provide Lifelines to Families in Need —Q&A for families about whether they qualify and how to enroll in Medicaid, CHIP or Marketplace coverage, from the Georgetown Center for Children and Families.

WORTH REPEATING:

CIVIL RIGHTS FOR PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES
HHS OFFICE OF CIVIL RIGHTS (OCR)
Evaluation Framework for Crisis Standard of Care Plans (Center for Public Representation, The Arc of the United States, Bazelon Center for Mental Health Law, Autistic Self Advocacy Network, Sam Bagenstos, 4/8/20)

Ensuring Civil Rights During the COVID-19 Response (FEMA Civil Rights Bulletin, 4/9/20)

Crisis Standards of Care and Civil Rights Laws from the Technical Resources, Assistance Center, and Information Exchange (TRACIE), Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response (ASPR), HHS— Highlights language from the National Academies of Science, Engineering and Medicine (NASEM), the Department of Health and Human Services Office of Civil Rights (DHS OCR), the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), and relevant law which support the adherence to civil rights laws and disability rights laws in the application of Crisis Standards of Care during resource-constrained emergencies, such as the COVID-19 pandemic.


WORTH REPEATING:

For more information on medical rationing, see the website of the Center for Public Representation .

If you become aware of any instances of discrimination based on disability or medical condition, or of state or facility policies that seem discriminatory, you can file a complaint with the HHS Office of Civil Rights.
SSI/SOCIAL SECURITY ADMINISTRATION
DEADLINE FOR SSI and VA BENEFICIARIES WITH NEW CHILDREN — May 5
Recipients of Supplemental Security Income (SSI) and VA benefits who have dependent children and did not file 2018 or 2019 taxes need to act by Tuesday, May 5, in order to quickly receive payments for their eligible children ($500 per child). They should immediately go to the  IRS’s webpage  and visit the  Non-Filers: Enter Your Information  section to provide their information. Otherwise, the payments for their children will be delayed until 2021, after a 2020 tax return is filed. See IRS Press Release , 4/24/20); Message from Social Security Commissioner Andrew Saul (4/24/20). For more details, see the IRS Economic Impact Payment Information Center .

SSI recipients will automatically start receiving their individual ($1200) Economic Impact Payments directly from the Treasury Department in early May without taking any action.

IMPORTANT NOTE: The Social Security Administration will not consider economic impact payments as income for SSI recipients, and the payments are excluded from resources for 12 months . (See the Social Security Administration coronavirus page .) 
PAID LEAVE
TELEHEALTH
As explained in an April 23 press release , the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) has released a State Medicaid & CHIP Telehealth Toolkit , with a focus on pediatric considerations, including the impact of HIPAA, FERPA, IDEA, and age-of-consent laws. The Toolkit includes a checklist of policy questions intended to serve as a tool for states to assess telehealth in their state. More about the toolkit: CMS Releases Telehealth Toolkit with Special Emphasis on Pediatrics (Georgetown Center for Children and Families blog, 4/23/20).

The Center for Connected Health Policy provides up-to-date information on state actions and federal Medicare and Medicaid policies related to telehealth.  
OTHER COVID NEWS AND RESOURCES


For Families

Advice on health care and education for families with CSHCN are highlighted in a special COVID-19 edition of Complex Child .

COVID-19 Disability Form
This form can be giving to health care providers to help ensure with proper medical treatment in case of hospitalization due to COVID-19-related symptoms. English | Spanish

Resources for People with Disabilities on COVID-19 from the American Association on Health and Disability
NEW AND UPDATED CDC RESOURCES
WORTH REPEATING:
NON-CORONAVIRUS NEWS AND RESOURCES

WORTH REPEATING:
Serving Children and Youth with Special Health Care Needs in Medicaid Managed Care: Targeted Contract Language – From the National Academy for State Health Policy (NASHP), updated April 2020. This tool shows how five states (GA, MD, MI, TX, and VA) incorporated aspects of the National Standards of Care for Children and Youth with Special Health Care Needs into their Medicaid managed care contracts. NASHP has organized these contract provisions by aligning them with National Standards’ identification/assessment, access to care, medical home/care coordination, and quality domains so state leaders and stakeholders can better meet the needs of CYSHCN within a managed care environment.
TRICARE AND MILITARY HEALTH SYSTEM (COVID AND non-COVID ISSUES)
YOUR INPUT SOUGHT
NEW COVID-19 & Disability Survey
The American Association on Health and Disability is conducting an online survey to better understand the impact of the Coronavirus pandemic on people with disabilities, with support from the Bristol-Meyers Squib Foundation. The average completion time is less than four minutes. Alternate formats such as large print, Braille, or electronic versions of the survey are available upon request to   [email protected] .

Submit Stories about How Medicaid Has Helped You to “That’s Medicaid”
Through its “ That’s Medicaid ” initiative, the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation is publicizing stories about how Medicaid has helped people in various situations. These stories might be helpful as you educate policymakers and the public about Medicaid. People can submit their own Medicaid stories here (scroll down).
UPCOMING WEBINARS AND CALLS
» Check out the resources from last week’s Family Voices/CAHMI webinar , “Partnering for Success: How Family Organizations and Title V Agencies can Utilize the Data Resource Center for Child and Adolescent Health.” ( slides , recording , and NSCH Redesign Manuscript from MCHB )

Wednesday, April 29, 2:00 pm ET
National Emerging Special Pathogen Training and Education Center

Wednesday, April 29, 3:00-5:00 pm ET
Maine Parent Federation

Wednesday, April 29, 3:00 pm ET
National Conference of State Legislatures

NEW SERIES from the Association of University Centers on Disabilities:

 Materials from earlier webinars:

Thursday, April 30, 3:30-5:30 pm ET
Maine Parent Federation

Friday, May 1, 2:00-3:00 pm ET
The National Institute for Health Care Management (NIHCM) Foundation

Wednesday, May 6, 2:00-3:30 pm ET
Dialogue for Health/Public Health Institute

Wednesday, May 6, 3:00-5:00 pm ET
Maine Parent Federation

Tuesday, May 14, 3:00-5:00 pm ET
Maine Parent Federation, Center for Community Inclusion and Disability Studies, Mainely Kidz
 
ADvancing States (formerly National Association of States United for Aging and Disabilities)
This free course is designed to help Information and Referral/Assistance (I&R/A) professionals to improve services and resources provided to people with intellectual and developmental disability (I/DD) and their families, and to integrate cultural and disability competence into their work with this population. To take the course, log in to ADvancing States iQ and search for the course, "Strengthening Disability and Cultural Competence in Information and Referral/Assistance (I&R/A) Work with People with I/DD and their Families." If you are new to the iQ learning center, you will need to create an account first. Click here to log in or create an account.
OF POSSIBLE INTEREST
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Thank you for subscribing to the Washington DC Update newsletter. Please feel free to contact Family Voices Policy Director, Janis Guerney , with any questions. Past issues of the Update appear on the  Family Voices website . If you wish to unsubscribe, you can do so via the "SafeUnsubscribe" link below.



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.