McConnell introduces COVID-19 response bill

Mar 20, 2020 - 03:45 PM
Coronavirus Update 900x400

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., yesterday introduced the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (S. 3548) . The bill is the third large-scale congressional effort in response to the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak.

Bipartisan negotiations are ongoing in the Senate among leadership, various committee chairmen and the Trump administration. Democrats are working on an alternative proposal, and daily negotiations are expected to continue until a proposal is agreed upon.

Among other health care-related provisions, the package would remove the Medicare sequester from May through December 2020; create a Medicare add-on payment of 15% for inpatient hospital COVID-19 patients; take steps to improve the supply chain, including access to masks and drugs, among other items; take steps to expand coverage for COVID-19 testing and testing-related services; and provide new telehealth flexibilities.

Related News Articles

Headline
CDC encourages older adults to get additional COVID-19 vaccine dose 
Adults age 65 and older are encouraged to receive an updated dosage of the COVID-19 vaccine, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention announced April 25…
Headline
NASEM releases evidence review on COVID-19 vaccine safety
The Pfizer and Moderna COVID-19 vaccines can cause myocarditis, but do not appear to cause infertility, Guillain-Barré syndrome, Bell’s palsy, thrombosis with…
Headline
FDA approves combo test for flu, COVID-19; alerts providers to medical device risks 
The Food and Drug Administration recently granted emergency use authorization for the first over-the-counter home antigen test to detect both flu and COVID-19…
Headline
CDC recommends additional dose of updated COVID-19 vaccine for older adults
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Director Mandy Cohen, M.D., Feb. 28 endorsed a recommendation by its Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices…
Headline
FDA: Paxlovid no longer labeled for emergency use after March 8
Paxlovid may no longer be distributed with an emergency use label after March 8, the Food and Drug Administration announced. Providers may dispense unexpired…
Headline
CDC study finds low rates of COVID-19, flu and RSV vaccinations in adults 
A CDC study  released Dec. 21 found low COVID-19 and flu vaccination coverage for most adults, and low RSV vaccination coverage for adults aged 60 and…