Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) News

The National Institute on Minority Health and Health Disparities opened applications for supplemental funding to evaluate interventions to reduce COVID-19’s impact on populations that experience health disparities or other populations vulnerable to COVID-19 infection, hospitalization, or mortality.

The National Institute on Minority Health and Health Disparities opened applications for supplemental funding to evaluate interventions to reduce COVID-19’s impact on populations that experience health disparities or other populations vulnerable to COVID-19 infection, hospitalization, or mortality.

The White House Supply Chain Task Force projects the nation will have enough N95 masks to meet pandemic demand for July through October, according to a report released to the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee for a hearing on federal efforts to procure and distribute supplies to fight the pandemic.

AHA submitted comment to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services on the agency’s proposed skilled nursing facility prospective payment system for fiscal year 2021, urging CMS to support additional funds to offset the cost of critically important COVID-19 testing.

The COVID-19 pandemic has changed our world. For hospitals and health systems this meant canceling non-emergent surgeries and other services – many of which are often for care that is potentially life-saving, necessary to alleviate pain and suffering, or to restore individuals to full health. 

While COVID-19 has impacted routine medical visits and non-emergency procedures, people are still giving birth and in need of support. Across the country, hospitals and health systems are implementing COVID-19 response plans that are shaping birth plans and experiences for expectant mothers and their families.

The Food and Drug Administration does not intend to object to a manufacturer or authorized distributor delivering prescription drug samples directly to licensed practitioners or their patients at their homes during the COVID-19 emergency when requested by the practitioner in accordance with requirements, according to guidance released.

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services released a guide for patients considering in-person, non-emergency treatment as the country continues to reopen and COVID-19 cases decline.

The Department of Health and Human Services announced in an email that it is planning an additional distribution of funds to hospitals that have been particularly affected by the increased burden of caring for those with COVID-19.

The Department of Health and Human Services announced that it will distribute $10 billion from the Public Health and Social Services Emergency Fund to hospitals that serve a disproportionate number of Medicaid patients or provide large amounts of uncompensated care. 

FDA released new guidance that expands for the duration of the COVID-19 emergency the availability and capability of non-invasive monitoring devices.

CMS released guidance for non-federal governmental plans implementing the Families First Coronavirus Response Act requirement to cover COVID-19 diagnostic testing and certain related items and services without cost-sharing, prior authorization or other medical management restrictions during the public health emergency.

The Food and Drug Administration reissued emergency use authorizations that revise policy on the types of respirators that can be decontaminated for reuse.

The Food and Drug Administration released COVID-19 performance data for four more antibody test kits. The results come from the first collaboration between FDA, the National Institute of Health’s National Cancer Institute, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority.

The Department of Health and Human Services released guidance specifying what data laboratories must report to HHS along with their COVID-19 test results, the method for submission, and the data reporting and transmission requirements.

The Food and Drug Administration this week released guidance for institutional review boards seeking clarity regarding the key factors and procedures they should consider when reviewing requests by physicians and others for individual patient access to investigational drugs.

Social distancing interventions started earlier in the COVID-19 epidemic appear to delay the epidemic curve while interventions started later appear to flatten it, according to a new study published in the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Emerging Infectious Diseases Journal.

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services recently issued new guidance implementing the Medicaid Optional Uninsured COVID-19 Testing (XXIII) Group, established by the Families First Coronavirus Response Act. 

The Senate approved by unanimous consent the AHA-supported Paycheck Protection Program Flexibility Act of 2020 (H.R. 7010) to allow more leeway for small business loans during the COVID-19 crisis.

The Food and Drug Administration recently created an online compendium page of COVID-19 resources for health care professionals.