President Joe Biden announced initiatives to expand COVID-19 vaccine access; a CDC study shows mRNA vaccines are highly effective in preventing SARS-CoV-2 infection.

FDA alerts providers about monoclonal antibody–resistant SARS-CoV-2 variants; a new study examines vaccine rates in counties where residents experience a high number of social risk factors.

Essential hospitals rely heavily on a patchwork of federal financial support and resources to meet their mission. Congress must bolster the individual components that form the fabric of the health care safety net.

America's Essential Hospitals sent a letter to President Joe Biden and his administration detailing key priorities for essential hospitals, including issues related to structural racism, COVID-19, Medicaid, the 340B Drug Pricing Program, site-neutral payment policies, immigration, and other topics.

In a recent letter to state health officials, CMS outlines opportunities for states to better address social determinants of health. The letter outlines flexibility under current law and includes examples from states already engaging in such initiatives.

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services issued new guidance to states on directed payments in Medicaid managed care programs. In conjunction with the guidance, CMS issued a revised version of the agency’s preprint application for directed payments. 

A new notice encourages states to improve health outcomes, reduce disparities, and lower costs within Medicaid and the Children's Health Insurance Program. It describes how states might address social determinants of health using flexibility available under current law.

Hospital COVID-19 data is public on HHS Protect; FDA approves first treatment for hospitalized COVID-19 patients; CDC redefines "close contact."

In this second report on the topic, the agency describes three findings: there is no systematic or standard collection of social risk data; dual enrollment in Medicare and Medicaid remains a predictor of poor outcomes; and there are limited efforts to identify effective and scalable interventions.

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.

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 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.

Despite a growing awareness of the impact of social determinants of health on patient health outcomes, the CMS study found challenges to consistent data collection, including a lack of standardized screening tools and inconsistent use of electronic health record codes.

A panel convened by the National Institutes of Health culminated in an evidence report that includes 26 recommendations for improving implementation of proven services to reduce disparities in preventable conditions.

Essential hospitals tackle social determinants of health while operating with limited means. Congress must act to preserve the federal support essential hospitals rely on to fulfill their mission of care for all and keep communities healthy.

America’s Essential Hospitals expressed concern that changes to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program could increase food insecurity and worsen health outcomes.

The House advanced a federal budget and debt limit deal before leaving for August recess; the Senate will consider the measure this week. House and Senate committees consider legislation to reduce prescription drug pricing.

A Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services report to Congress details an action plan to assist states in providing housing-related support for Medicaid beneficiaries with substance use disorders.

In a July 9 letter to the Department of Housing and Urban Development, America’s Essential Hospitals expressed concern that changes to federal housing assistance eligibility requirements could increase housing instability and worsen health outcomes.

America’s Essential Hospitals encouraged the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services to consider the disproportionately negative financial effect on essential hospitals of certain quality reporting requirements and administrative burden in the Promoting Interoperability Programs.

A bipartisan group of 300 House lawmakers sent a letter to leadership calling for a two-year delay of Medicaid disproportionate share hospital cuts. The House will vote on a legislative package to expedite the availability of generic drugs and protect parts of the Affordable Care Act.

The association expressed concerns about two disparity methods developed to report readmission rates among patients with social risk factors; the deadline for comments has been extended to Dec. 14.

America’s Essential Hospitals highlighted the unique role essential hospitals play in treating individuals with social risk factors.

The agency seeks stakeholder feedback on two disparity methods measuring patient outcomes based on social risk factors; comments are due Dec. 14.

The association strongly encourages essential hospitals to submit individual comments with specific examples of how your institution addresses social risk factors among Medicare beneficiaries; comments are due Nov. 16.

Over a five-year period, CMS will test the three-track AHC model, which aims to support health-related social needs of Medicare and Medicaid beneficiaries.

The campaign of online and print advertisements and media outreach calls on Congress to pass legislation to risk adjust the Hospital Readmissions Reduction Program.

The Accountable Health Communities Model aims to close a gap in the health care delivery system between clinical care and community services.

ONC is requesting feedback particularly on interoperability as it relates to social determinants of health and collection of gender identity data.

NQF board adopts recommendation to assess sociodemographic risk adjustment of certain quality measures during a trial period.