The U.S. Surgeon General issues a health misinformation advisory; CDC and the Office of Minority Health develop a Minority Health Social Vulnerability Index.

In its June report to Congress, the Medicare Payment Advisory Commission issues recommendations on issues of importance to essential hospitals, including payment for Part B drugs, alternative payment models, indirect medical education payments, and Medicare coverage of vaccines, among other topics.

WHO announces new names for SARS-CoV-2 variants of concern; two NIH studies show that mRNA vaccines are safe for pregnant people.

In light of the COVID-19 public health emergency, CMS updated its guidance document to expand on best practices, lessons, and planning considerations for emerging infectious diseases. 

CDC warns health care providers to stay vigilant amid Ebola outbreaks in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Guinea.

International Infection Prevention Week, Oct. 18–24, highlights the role of infection preventionists in protecting health care workers and patients from COVID-19.

The National Academies of Sciences, Engineering and Medicine released a preliminary framework for equitable allocations of a COVID-19 vaccine that rests on foundational principles, including maximizing benefits, fairness, mitigating health inequities, equal regard, evidence-based work, and transparency.

Democratic and Republican negotiators failed to reach a deal on the next COVID-19 supplemental package. After negotiations faltered, President Trump issued four executive orders and memoranda related to pandemic relief, but the legality of the executive actions could be challenged.

Effective July 25, Health and Human Services Secretary Alex Azar issued a renewal of determination that a public health emergency exists due to COVID-19.

HHS will pay $50,000 per eligible admission to hospitals with more than 161 COVID-19 admissions from Jan. 1 to June 10. The agency will account for funding received by hospitals in a May disbursement of high-impact funds in determining the amount facilities receive in this round.

CMS announces the end of the blanket Extraordinary Circumstances Exception for quality reporting and value-based purchasing programs. HHS issues a remdesivir allocation fact sheet, and FDA approves a third influenza and COVID-19 combination diagnostic test.

A report highlights hospitalization risk factors for COVID-19, and GAO evaluates the National Disaster Medical System. FDA revokes emergency use authorizations for chloroquine phosphate and hydroxychloroquine sulfate.

The Department of Health and Human Services June 9 announced additional, targeted allocations from the Provider Relief Fund for hospitals filling a safety-net role and sole Medicaid and Children’s Health Insurance Program providers.

The Joint Commission will resume regular surveys of health care facilities; Gilead Sciences Inc. donates a second round of remdesivir to treat severe COVID-19 cases; CDC issues antibody testing guidelines.

The Department of Health and Human Services announced two distributions from the Public Health and Social Services Emergency Fund, known as the Provider Relief Fund: $4.9 billion for skilled nursing facilities and $500 million for Indian Health Service providers.

CDC warns of an inflammatory syndrome in children with COVID-19. The agency also shares its serology surveillance strategy and guidance for resuming care unrelated to COVID-19.

Hospitals interested in administering the donated experimental drug should contact their state health department.

HHS clarifies HIPAA rules for media; FDA tightens antibody testing rules and approves a home saliva test; the Missouri Hospital Association studies COVID-19 and race in St. Louis.

CMS has updated its Medicaid and CHIP COVID-19 frequently asked questions (FAQ) document, which has been reorganized for greater usability. The new FAQs offer guidance on adjusting upper payment limit demonstrations, supplemental payments, and more to reflect pandemic response.

America's Essential Hospitals in a May 5 letter urged the Department of Health and Human Services to allocate $20 billion specifically to essential hospitals that serve large Medicaid and low-income patient populations, to ensure the stability of the nation’s health care safety net.

A new study highlights racial disparities among COVID-19 patients; CDC updates testing and isolation guidelines and releases National Healthcare Safety Network data.

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services on April 30 issued a second round of waivers and rule changes to provide flexibility to hospitals and improve access to testing for beneficiaries. These changes update waivers issued March 30 to address patient surge.

The agency provides recommendations for resuming non-essential care for services that cannot be virtually delivered and for health care systems and facilities in regions with low incidence of COVID-19.

Congress should increase emergency funding for hospitals on the front lines of the COVID-19 epidemic, target hospitals in greatest need, adjust Medicaid to help essential hospitals, and provide other financial and regulatory relief.

The frequently asked questions document provides guidance on how states can leverage Medicaid flexibilities in response to the novel coronavirus. Key issues for essential hospitals are detailed in our latest Action Update.

House Democratic leaders seek to bolster economic aid and unemployment benefits, extend community health center funding, and increase workplace protections for health care workers and first responders.

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services issued various waivers to increase hospital capacity, expand the health care workforce, eliminate certain paperwork requirements, and further promote telehealth.

House Democratic leaders are developing a fourth COVID-19 supplemental funding bill on the heels of a $2 trillion aid package the president signed last week. This fourth legislative package could include measures to enhance protections for health care workers.

The new waivers and flexible options are designed to increase hospital capacity, rapidly expand the health care workforce, temporarily eliminate certain paperwork requirements, and promote telehealth in Medicare.

The association calls on HHS to design a mechanism to distribute funds made available by the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act to hospitals serving vulnerable communities and complex patients and facing other challenges during this public health emergency.

The administration has issued guidance making policy changes related to Medicare payment, mandated paid leave, and hospital reporting requirements related to COVID-19.

President Trump has signed a $2 trillion package of COVID-19 aid that provides $100 billion to hospitals and other providers, averts cuts to Medicaid disproportionate share hospital (DSH) payments, suspends Medicare sequester cuts, and includes numerous other relief measures.

The $2 trillion bill includes $100 billion for a Public Health and Social Services Emergency Fund to reimburse eligible health care providers for health care–related expenses or lost revenue attributable to COVID-19.

CMS issued a frequently asked questions document on how the agency will implement enhanced Medicaid funding to states to support COVID-19 response. The 6.2 percent increase in the Federal Medical Assistance Percentage was included in the Families First Coronavirus Response Act, made law on March 19.

As the Senate continues work on a third legislative package to address public health and economic needs during the COVID-19 crisis, House Democrats introduced an alternative that includes provisions important to essential hospitals and key changes absent in the Senate bill.

The March 20 letter details additional action needed to support essential hospitals as they respond to the pandemic. The letter also explains how essential hospitals face significant financial challenges as they work on the front lines of public health threats.

CDC recommends shelters plan for higher usage during the outbreak and consult with community leaders, local public health departments, and faith-based organizations about places to refer clients if a shelter space is full.

HHS announced new flexibility to increase coverage of Medicare telehealth services during the COVID-19 crisis. In separate guidance, HHS’ Office of Inspector General will allow providers to use a variety of audio and video communication platforms without incurring penalties under HIPAA.

CMS issues elective surgery guidance, telehealth toolkits, and information on quality reporting flexibility amid the COVID-19 pandemic; The Joint Commission suspends regular surveys.

After two failed votes, senators continue negotiations on a $1.6 trillion funding package to boost the economy and improve access to care during the COVID-19 pandemic. Meanwhile, House Democratic leadership unveiled competing legislation to provide relief.

CMS issued several checklists and templates for state Medicaid and the Children's Health Insurance Program agencies to request regulatory relief and flexibility to respond to the COVID-19 outbreak.

A third major legislative response to COVID-19 would provide $75 billion in emergency funding for hospitals and health care providers, delay until fiscal year 2022 a planned $4 billion cut to Medicaid disproportionate share hospital payments, and authorize other support.

The law increases the Federal Medical Assistance Percentage to states, allows states to extend Medicaid eligibility, and requires diagnostic test coverage.

An alert from U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services clarifies testing, treatment, and preventive care — including a vaccine, if one becomes available — related to COVID-19 will not be considered as part of a public charge inadmissibility determination.

The association sent House and Senate leaders a letter detailing the needs of essential hospitals as they face the COVID-19 outbreak. Members of America's Essential Hospitals should urge lawmakers to support the priorities in our letter.

President Trump declared a national emergency as the number of confirmed COVID-19 cases in the U.S. nears 3,500. CMS responds to concerns about complying with Emergency Medical Treatment and Labor Act requirements and CDC released updated infection control guidance for health care providers.

This second supplemental legislative package to address the new coronavirus would increase the federal medical assistance percentage (FMAP) to states, require insurance coverage of COVID-19 diagnostic tests and visits, extend paid leave, and more.

As U.S. cases of the new coronavirus rise to more than 400, the agency updates guidelines for testing patients and for health care workers exposed to COVID-19.

Both chambers passed a bill providing more than $8 billion to combat the new coronavirus; House leaders now are discussing legislation to mitigate economic impacts associated with the virus. A Senate letter calling to incorporate social determinants into hospital star ratings closes tomorrow.

The new code applies to tests conducted outside CDC laboratories; CMS also issued frequently asked questions and fact sheets about COVID-19–related billing.

President Trump has signed the Coronavirus Preparedness and Response Supplemental Appropriations Act, which provides $8.3 billion in funding to several federal agencies for COVID-19 response.

In a memo to state survey agencies and accrediting organizations, CMS announced it will focus survey activities solely on infection control until further notice and provided guidance for patient triage and nursing homes.

Congressional leaders are holding several hearings to inform their COVID-19 response and negotiating legislation that could provide up to $8 billion in emergency supplemental funding to respond to the outbreak.

These cases bring the total number of COVID-19 cases detected and confirmed in the United States to 16. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Food and Drug Administration have issued new guidance and resources to prevent the spread of the virus and improve testing.

The agency announced it will count patients repatriated by the Department of State separately from other cases. Additionally, the World Health Organization developed an emergency ICD-10 code for COVID-19.

HHS Secretary Alex Azar will discuss the president's proposed fiscal year 2021 budget at several congressional hearings. A bipartisan Senate letter calls for incorporating social determinants into star ratings. A new association work group focuses on the Medicaid Fiscal Accountability Regulation.

The new coronavirus — now officially called COVID-19 — has infected 15 people in the United States. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention released new guidance for health care providers to help with risk assessment, monitoring, and work restriction decisions.

The new authorization allows any CDC-qualified laboratory to use the 2019-nCoV diagnostic test. Each test kit can evaluate up to 800 patient samples.

A new rule allows CDC to require that airlines collect and provide data on passengers and crew arriving from foreign countries for health education, treatment, prophylaxis, or other public health interventions.

The agency reports that cybercriminals could send "phishing" emails purporting to include infection prevention information related to the new coronavirus (2019-nCOV) outbreak.

Five cases of the coronavirus have been reported in the United States; CDC will host a Jan. 31 call for clinicians to share updated guidance about the virus.

Long-expected "Medicare-for-all" bill formally introduced; Congressional hearings continue to focus on rising health care costs and prescription drug prices.

Seven pharmaceutical company executives will testify in a Senate Committee on Finance hearing about prescription drug pricing practices.

The president signs a multibillion-dollar funding package and declares a national emergency, which now faces multiple court challenges. Two House Democrats announce plans to introduce Medicare-for-all legislation.

The House aims to complete voting by the July Fourth recess, but Senate work on opioid legislation likely will continue into August amid a shortened recess.

The emergency operations center was activated in January 2016 to respond to the harmful effects of the virus when contracted during pregnancy.

Essential hospitals, key providers of public health and emergency preparedness services, stand ready to support the nation's response to the spreading Zika virus. Find resources from the CDC and other experts here.

The findings highlight the need for continued mosquito surveillance and can help health departments and mosquito control districts plan for outbreaks.

The webinar will focus on managing resources, setting priorities, engaging stakeholders, and anticipating needs during crises, such as disease outbreaks.

The list of 12 antibiotic-resistant "priority pathogens" is aimed at guiding and promoting the research and development of new antibiotics.

Just added: CDC interim guidance for management of survivors of Ebola Virus disease in U.S. health care settings

FDA official notes "urgent need” to accelerate development of medical products to combat the virus and says the agency will “leverage its authorities" to aid that process.

Change follows Nov. 7 declaration by World Health Organization that Sierra Leone is free of Ebola. Some checks remain, including for temperature and possible exposure.

Travelers from Liberia will no longer be screened upon entry. CDC recommends providers continue screening patients who have traveled from Liberia for symptoms of Ebola and other infectious diseases.

The plan serves as a guide for federal departments and agencies to combat the spread of antibiotic-resistant bacteria. Funding is included in the president's proposed FY 2016 budget.

Announcement follows recent "superbug" outbreaks at two Los Angeles hospitals that occurred without identified lapses of infection control

Grants will support Ebola preparedness activities at hospitals, fund regional networks for Ebola patient care, and create pathogen treatment centers nationally

Training videos help ED personnel identify, triage, and briefly manage the care of patients who may have Ebola or any highly infectious disease.

Plus, senators are concerned with the CMS rating system for Medicare Advantage plans.

Guidance covers the management and testing of routine clinical specimens for Ebola, while minimizing risk to laboratory personnel.

Treatment centers together have 53 beds suitable for Ebola care, and more than 80 percent of travelers from Ebola-affected countries live within 200 miles of a center.

While Congress is in recess, the House Committee on Energy and Commerce, Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations will hold a hearing addressing the U.S. public health response to Ebola. CDC Director Tom Frieden, MD, and other U.S. public health officials will testify.

The panel will assess the impact of potential regulations on this exposure. The SBA seeks small business entity representatives to inform the panel.

Congress meets this week to extend federal funding through Dec. 11. Other legislative considerations include medical device tax, VA authorities, and the Emergency Medical Services for Children Program. Committees will address CHIP, Ebola, and the ACA.