Online Advocacy Campaign to Avert Medicare Cuts

The National Association for Home Care and Hospice (NAHC) has launched a new online advocacy campaign encouraging members and stakeholders to reach out to their Congressional delegations to ask that they enact legislative proposals to avert the impending Medicare cuts slated for January 1, 2022. They have also sent a letter to Congressional leaders requesting they address this critical issue before year’s end (see letter HERE) 

Absent additional congressional action, a combined 6% Medicare cut is scheduled to take effect the first of the new year. This is a result of the re-imposition of the across-the-board 2% sequestration cuts, as well as an additional 4% cut that was triggered because of the budgetary impacts of the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (the so-called “PAYGO” requirement cuts).

The online campaign on NAHC’s Legislative Action Center can be found here:  https://p2a.co/7hauLTp

Infrastructure Bill Still Establishing a Foundation

President Biden’s Infrastructure Bill package has been reduced to a total spend somewhere in the neighborhood of $1.75 trillion. However, at least Senator Manchin from WV has indicated that he still won’t vote in favor until the impact on the economy can be scored by the CBO.

The House of Representatives has released language for the Build Back Better (BBB) Act, the social spending aspect of the infrastructure proposal. In total the BBB Act calls for $1.75 trillion in spending, down from a previously planned $3.5 trillion.

A key provision in the BBB provides a $150 billion investment in Medicaid HCBS Services. These funds will go towards:

• 7% FMAP increase specific for HCBS through September of 2031
• Maintenance of effort – new funds may only be used to supplement, not supplant current state spending on HCBS
• Required coverage of personal care services
• Support for family caregivers to include respite care
• Requires states to update and increase payment rates to support recruitment and retention of direct care workers
• Requires states to review and if necessary, increase payment rates to ensure sufficient access to care every 3 years
• Makes permanent the Medicaid Money Follows the Person demonstration program
• Makes permanent the protections against spousal impoverishment for HCBS beneficiaries.
• Full legislative language here, HCBS part starts on page 568.

Negotiations are still not complete, leaving room for the possibility of further changes to the legislative text.

CDC panel recommends Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine for kids 5-11, shots expected to roll out this week

Karen WeintraubElizabeth Weise

USA TODAY

CDC panel recommends Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine for kids 5-11, shots expected to roll out this week CDC experts find the benefits of Pfizer's COVID-19 vaccine for kids 5 -11 outweigh risks. Once the director gives his final OK, shots are likely to begin this week.

Check out this story on usatoday.com: https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/health/2021/11/02/covid-vaccine-kids-children-approved/6233927001/

The Implications of Long COVID for Patients & the Health Care System

Wednesday, November 17, 2021 (10:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m. MT) 

The National Institute for Health Care Management (NIHCM) Foundation will discuss the implications of Long COVID for Patients and the Health Care System during this one hour free webinar.