Washington DC Update 3/5/2020
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Greetings from Washington!
In the Update this week:
- The Supreme Court has decided that it will hear oral arguments in the ACA case during next year’s term, which begins in October 2020. A decision is not likely to be rendered until the following spring.
- The novel coronavirus of 2019 is taking over the world…of health news, and this Update, at least. Read about the virus and the policies and politics surrounding it, and find links to resources for families and family leaders.
In case you missed it: The
February 26 Update
reports that the
“public charge” rule
went into effect nationwide on February 24, and provides resources on the rule for families that might be affected.
IMPORTANT REMINDER:
Please see the “Your Input Sought” section below for details and information about how to submit comments on
Out-of-State Provision of Medicaid Services for Children with Medically Complex Conditions
(part of implementing the ACE Kids Act),
due March 23.
Coronavirus
AND…
In case you hadn’t noticed, IT’S AN ELECTION YEAR! The
Voting & Elections
webpage on
USA.gov
, provides information on who’s running (federal, state and local), how to register, when and where you can vote, absentee ballots, and more. If you can’t find what you need there, try
VOTE411
(from the League of Women Voters). As always, a lot is at stake. Please register, vote, and spread the word.
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IN THIS ISSUE
- The Courts
- Coronavirus News, Information, and Resources
- Administration
- Congress
- Medicaid/CHIP News, Information, and Resources
- Medicaid Waivers
- TRICARE
- Other News, Information, and Resources
- Your Input Sought
- Of Possible Interest
- Upcoming Webinars and Calls
- Additional Coronavirus Resources
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ACA Case
On March 2, the US Supreme Court announced that it would hear the case (formerly known as Texas v. US) challenging the constitutionality of the Affordable Care Act (ACA) – actually two cases that will be heard together – Texas et al. v. California et al. and California et al. v. Texas et al.
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CORONAVIRUS NEWS, INFORMATION, AND RESOURCES
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Names
- The novel coronavirus first identified in Wuhan, China, has been named “SARS‑CoV‑2” by the International Committee on Taxonomy of Viruses. The name stands for “severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2,” and is based on the determination that the new virus belongs to the existing species, severe acute respiratory syndrome-related coronavirus.
- The disease caused by the virus has been named “COVID-19” (for “coronavirus disease 2019”) by the World Health Organization.
In Congress
Bill to Fund Coronavirus Response
On Wednesday afternoon, the House passed (by a vote of 415-2) an $8.3 billion supplemental funding bill to respond to the coronavirus. The bill reflects a bipartisan deal reached by the Democratic Chair of the House Appropriations Committee, Rep. Nita Lowey (D-NY), and her Republican Senate counterpart, Senator Richard Shelby (R-AL). The bill provides $7.76 billion to agencies involved in addressing the outbreak. This sum includes $2.2 billion in public health funding for prevention, preparedness, and response, of which $950 million is for state local health departments; over $3 billion for research and development of vaccines, therapeutics, and diagnostics; and nearly $1 billion “for procurement of pharmaceuticals and medical supplies, to support healthcare preparedness and Community Health Centers, and to improve medical surge capacity.” See House Appropriations Committee
press release
.
As reported in
an article from The Hill
, the bill requires that any vaccines, drugs, or tests developed by private companies using taxpayer dollars be made available for purchase by the federal government at a “fair and reasonable price,” a provision that had been sought by Democrats. In addition, the bill authorizes Medicare reimbursement for telehealth consultations, at a cost of $500 million. ($7.76 billion + $500 million =$8.3 billion.) Read more about the bill in the House Appropriations Committee
press release
, and the committee’s
section-by-section summary
.
The Senate is expected to take up the measure as early as this week, and the president is expected to sign the legislation, even though his initial request from Congress was more modest ($2.5 billion, of which half would have come from re-programming existing funds).
Administration Activities and News
Around the country
Policy Issues:
Resources
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the World Health Organization (WHO) both have LOTS of information for consumers and health professionals:
There is a list of other resources and articles about the coronavirus at the end of this Update,
including articles about prevention, children, and traveling by plane. The Family Voices website (
www.familyvoices.org
) will also soon have an information page about COVID-19.
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[See above information about the administration’s coronavirus activities.]
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There have been no significant developments on legislation to address surprise medical bills or prescription drug prices.
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MEDICAID/CHIP NEWS, INFORMATION, AND RESOURCES
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On March 2, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) released an Informational Bulletin related to the 2020 Federal Poverty Level Standards and the 2020 Dual Eligible Standards.
Guidance to States on Behavioral Health Coverage Benefit for Separate Children Health Insurance Programs (CHIPs)
From Medicaid.gov bulletin, 3/2/20
States will now be required to:
- Provide coverage of all the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP)/Bright Futures recommended behavioral health screenings and all U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) behavioral health recommendations with a Grade of A or B.
- Provide an array of behavioral health benefits that is sufficient to treat a broad range of behavioral health conditions.
- Cover Medication Assistance Treatment for Opioid Use Disorders (OUDs) and tobacco cessation.
- Identify a strategy to facilitate the use of validated age-appropriate screening tools. These tools are used to detect a particular concern or condition.
- Identify a strategy to facilitate the use of validated clinical assessment tools. These tools are used to determine a diagnosis, evaluate the current level of functioning, and develop treatment recommendations.
- Submit a title XXI CHIP SPA to demonstrate compliance with Section 5022 of the SUPPORT Act.
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To track state waiver requests, see:
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Learn about the rules that outline how and when you can enroll in a TRICARE plan, and more in these issues of “Health Matters.”
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OTHER NEWS, INFORMATION, AND RESOURCES
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Fear of Medical Bills
IEP Season
Dental Resources for Kids
The
Connecting Kids to Coverage National Campaign
wants to remind families that with Medicaid and the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) coverage, children and teens up to age 19 can receive the necessary dental care, including regular check-ups, x-rays, fluoride treatments, dental sealants, and fillings, to keep them healthy and smiling. The Campaign offers a variety of
resources
to help spread the word about good oral health and to get kids and their families enrolled in Medicaid and CHIP:
- Twitter and Facebook graphics are available in English and Spanish to share on social media.
- Organizations can download a tip sheet with advice on sharing dental health education materials.
- Parents and caregivers can be directed to the “Find a Dentist” tool on our website to locate a dentist in their area that accepts Medicaid and CHIP.
- In addition to outreach for children of all ages and backgrounds, organizations can find materials specifically for expectant mothers, toddlers, and children with special needs on our Oral Health Initiative page.
Additionally, the Campaign’s Twitter handle,
@IKNGov
, has been tweeting out messages about dental health coverage throughout February and we encourage you to retweet to get the word out. Together, we can ensure children and teens have access to the dental care they need for greater self-confidence, overall good health, and to stay focused in school.
Organizational Development - UPDATE
The
HCBS Business Acumen Center
has released the FIFTH module of the
HCBS Business Acumen Center Toolkit
: “Disability Network Business Strategies: A Roadmap to Financial and Programmatic Sustainability for Community-Based Organizations.” This resource is a ‘how-to’ guide designed to help community-based organizations (CBOs) evaluate, plan, develop, implement, and monitor strategies to help build and sustain their organizations in various business climates.
The Kaiser Family Foundation’s
state-specific
health care "snapshots" provide data across a variety of health topics for each state, including health care costs, coverage (Medicaid, Medicare, private insurance), the uninsured, health status, and access to care. They also describe each state's political environment in this election year.
WORTH REPEATING: Health Literacy and Communications
From the National Public Health Information Coalition (NPHIC)
The
NPHIC Outbreak Communications Guide
was developed as part of a cooperative agreement with CDC’s National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases. The guide suggests steps to take before, during, and after an outbreak.
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Please pay special attention to the items marked with
***
The National Library of Medicine (NLM) is asking for public comment in its current effort to modernize
ClinicalTrials.gov
, the world’s largest public clinical research registry and results database. The focus of the modernization includes improving website functionality, submission processes, and use of data standards. For more information on the project in submitting a comment,
click here
. Send submissions to NLM by no later than Saturday, March 14, 2020, to Patient Affairs Staff (PAS), Office of the Commissioner, U.S. Food and Drug Administration, or
fill out this form
. (Tel: 301-796-8460.)
***
Request for Information on Out-of-State Provision of Medicaid Services for Children with Medically Complex Conditions – due March 23
***
On January 21, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) published a
Request for Information
on “Coordinating Care from Out-of-State Providers for Children with Medically-Complex Conditions.” CMS is seeking public comments on:
- Best practices for using out-of-state providers in coordinating care for children with medically complex conditions;
- How care is coordinated for such children when that care is provided by out-of-state providers including when care is provided in emergency and non-emergency situations; and
- Processes for screening and enrolling out-of-state providers, including efforts to streamline these processes or reduce the burden of these processes on such providers and states.
Comments are due on March 23, no later than 11:59 pm EST, and can be submitted
HERE
.
Traveling by Air with Service Animals – due April 6
On January 22, the Department of Transportation issued a
proposed rule
on traveling by air with service animals. As explained in the
department’s press release
, and
this news article
, the proposed rule would, among other things: define a service animal as a dog that is individually trained to do work or perform tasks for the benefit of a person with a disability; no longer consider an emotional support animal to be a service animal; consider a psychiatric service animal to be a service animal and require the same training and treatment of psychiatric service animals as other service animals.
Comments are due on April 6 and can be submitted
here
.
CMS Has Issued a Request for Information
(RFI) to seek public comments about ways to improve healthcare access, quality, and outcomes for women and infants in rural communities before, during, and after pregnancy, as well as information regarding the readiness of providers, including emergency medical services (EMS), to handle obstetric emergencies (i.e., emergencies related to pregnancy, birth, and after birth) in rural areas. Comments are due by 11:59 pm EST on April 12, 2020, and can be submitted by sending an email 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).
FDA Patient Affairs and Patient Representatives Program®
The Food & Drug Administration has a
Patient Representative Program
®
, which offers patients and caregivers the opportunity to provide advice to the agency as it regulates drugs, biologics, and devices. The FDA also has a
Patients Matter
Video Series
. The most recent video,
What is Expanded Access?
explains how to use the
Expanded Access Program
(also known as “compassionate use”) and features a family’s experience with it. Other videos in the series include
Patients Matter: Giving Patients a Seat at the Table,
and
Patients Matter: How Rare Disease Patients Can Move Scientific Discovery Forward
. You can contact the FDA Patient Affairs Staff at Tel: 301-796-8460
or
[email protected]
or follow them on Twitter @FDAPatientInfo.
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UPCOMING WEBINARS AND CALLS
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Thursday, March 5, 1:00-2:00 pm ET
SAMHSA TA Network
Thursday, March 5, 2:00 pm ET
Center on Budget and Policy Priorities (CBPP)
Thursday, March 12, 2:00 pm ET
National ABLE Resource Center
Throughout 2020, the ABLE National Resource Center (ABLE NRC) will be conducting “ABLE Program Spotlight” webinars for those who already have a basic understanding of ABLE. This webinar will showcase California’s Qualified ABLE Program, CalABLE.
NEW
Patient Safety Awareness Week: Achieving Safe and Reliable Health Care
Tuesday, March 10, 1:00-2:30 pm ET
Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA)
Dr. Allan Frankel, an internationally recognized expert in patient safety, will discuss the socio-technical framework and practical strategies for improving safety, focusing on teamwork, psychological safety, and accountability.
Call-in: 888-795-3252
Passcode: 3284388
Wednesday, March 11, 3:00-4:00 pm ET
ADvancing States
Tuesday, March 24, 2:00-3:00 pm ET
Justice in Aging
Tuesday, April 14, 1:00-2:00 pm ET
Public Health Foundation
Monday, June 1, 1:00-3:30 pm ET
[last in a
series
]
National Quality Forum/Administration for Community Living; Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services
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ADDITIONAL CORONAVIRUS RESOURCES
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The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the World Health Organization (WHO) both have LOTS of information for consumers and health professionals:
PREPARATION, PREVENTION, TREATMENT, CHILDREN, TRAVEL
PREPARATION/PREVENTION AND HAND-WASHING
- See What do Older Adults and People with Disabilities Need to Know about Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19)? (Administration for Community Living, 3/2/20). The likelihood of becoming seriously or fatally ill with COVID-19 rises with age, and whether someone has pre-existing health conditions. People with underlying medical conditions and their families should take the same precautions as everyone else – frequent and thorough hand-washing, not touching your face, staying out of crowds, disinfecting household items that are touched often (phones, keyboards, counters, faucets, handles, knobs, etc.).
- Info straight from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC): Coronavirus Prevention & Treatment (中文 | Español).
- It’s Not Overreacting to Prepare for Coronavirus. Here’s How. Five Things You Can Do Now to Get Ready for an Outbreak. (Vox, 3/2/20) – Clear information about how to prepare practically and psychologically.
- How to Avoid the Coronavirus? Wash Your Hands: I covered the SARS outbreak as a reporter in China, and I saw that common sense is the best defense against viral illness. (Opinon: New York Times, 1/28/20). – Good article about the most effective ways to prevent illness (hand-washing, avoiding crowds) and about limits on the practicality and effectiveness of wearing face masks.
- Wash Your Damn Hands: It’s One of the Best Ways to Prevent Covid-19 — And You’re Probably Doing It Wrong. (Vox, 2/28/20).
- Chat Transcript: What to Do If You Have A Compromised Immune System and the Best Ways to Prepare for the Coronavirus (Washington Post, 3/2/20)
CHILDREN
MORE INFORMATION
TRAVEL
Flying Soon and Worried About Getting Sick?
- How Likely Are You to Actually Get Sick from Being on a Plane? (Washington Post, 2/4/20) – Specific information about dangers and how to protect yourself; notes that airplane goes through HEPA filters, so is more filtered than the air in other places where people congregate. BUT the air is dryer, so membranes are dryer and more susceptible to harboring viruses. [Might it help to use saline nasal spray and eye drops?] Recommends closing air vents above you if people are coughing nearby. (Other article suggests opening them and pointing them away from you.)
- Ask the Captain: A Pilot Answers Your Questions about Flying amid Coronavirus Outbreak (USA Today, 1/30/20). Also notes that airplane air is filtered with HEPA filters.
- How to Stay Healthy on a Plane as Coronavirus, Flu, Colds Raise Travel Concerns (USA Today, 1/24/20) – specific, easy-to-do preventive measures – like sit by a window. Recommends opening but pointing air vents away from you (other article suggests closing them if people are coughing nearby).
- How to Travel during the International Coronavirus Outbreak (Vox, 2/26/20)
- How to Think About Travel as the Coronavirus Threat Evolves (Washington Post, 3/2/20)
Travel insurance:
STAY UPDATED
You can follow CDC social media for updates:
Sign-up
to Receive CDC's New COVID-19 "What's New" Weekly Update
Some of the CDC webpages:
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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.
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