Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) News

Below are links to AHA Today stories on novel coronavirus (COVID-19). For all coronavirus resources and news updates, visit our COVID-19 page.

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CMS said that until Medicare sets national payment rates for COVID-19-related testing claims, its Medicare Administrative Contractors have authority to set payment amounts in their respective jurisdictions.
HHS reminded eligible health care providers that they have until June 3 to attest to receipt of payments from the Public Health and Social Services Emergency Fund, accept the terms and conditions and submit their revenue information to potentially qualify for an additional payment from the $50 billion general distribution.
The Health Resources and Services Administration, part of the Department of Health and Human Services, provided $225 million to rural health clinics for COVID-19 testing.
The AHA is encouraged by the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s proposal to use its authority under the Defense Production Act to establish a voluntary agreement of key private sector stakeholders to coordinate COVID-19 response and information sharing, the association told the agency.
Hospitals can submit their stories of kindness in overcoming the COVID-19 pandemic by May 31 to be featured in Reader's Digest's Nicest Places in America 2020.
The AFL-CIO asked the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit to order the Occupational Safety and Health Administration to issue within 30 days an emergency temporary standard to protect U.S. workers from COVID-19 under the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970.
In response to the significant impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on nursing homes, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services recommended criteria for state and local officials who are considering how to mitigate risks.
The Small Business Administration released the application that borrowers must submit to the lender servicing their Paycheck Protection Program loan to request forgiveness for some or all of the loan.
The CDC awarded $10.25 billion from the Paycheck Protection Program and Health Care Enhancement Act to states, territories and local jurisdictions, and $750 million to tribal health programs to expand COVID-19 testing capacity and related activities.
HHS announced a $354 million agreement with a private partnership to make more active pharmaceutical ingredients and generic drugs in the United States to treat patients hospitalized with COVID-19 and prevent shortages of essential medicines.
The AHA, Association of periOperative Registered Nurses, and AdvaMed released clinically based guidance to support the safe reentry of medical device representatives into hospitals and other surgical facilities as they resume elective surgeries paused during the COVID-19 pandemic.
by Robyn Begley, DNP, RN, CEO of the American Organization for Nursing Leadership
Marking Mental Health Awareness Month, Robyn Begley, CEO of the American Organization for Nursing Leadership, writes that health care workers already faced burnout, addiction and suicide before COVID-19, and it’s important to tackle these issues now.
State Medicaid programs are reporting an uptick in enrollment compared with their fiscal year 2020 projections, due in part to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Infectious virus in feces is a common manifestation of COVID-19, according to a study from China published in the Center for Disease Control and Prevention’s Emerging Infectious Diseases journal.
The Food and Drug Administration authorized the emergency use of Everlywell, Inc.’s COVID-19 Test Home Collection Kit.
The Trump administration introduced Operation Warp Speed, a $10 billion public-private partnership intended to accelerate development, manufacturing and distribution of COVID-19 vaccines, therapeutics and diagnostics by January 2021.
The Department of Health and Human Services has canceled today’s deadline for hospitals and health systems to submit data to inform the agency’s distribution of its supply of remdesivir.
by Melinda L. Estes, M.D.
Our just-concluded National Hospital Week provided many great opportunities to express our heartfelt thanks to the remarkable caregivers who continue to minister to COVID-19 patients—and all patients who come through our hospital and health system doors—every day in every community across America.
The House yesterday passed the Health and Economic Recovery Omnibus Emergency Solutions (HEROES) Act — a $3 trillion COVID-19 relief package.
Health care systems face difficult challenges in their effort to provide safe and effective care not just for COVID-19 patients, but all patients living with serious illness.