COVID-19
WASHINGTON, D.C. (February 3, 2022)—As part of the Biden-Harris Administration’s ongoing efforts to expand Americans’ access to free testing, people in either Original Medicare or Medicare Advantage will be able to get over-the-counter COVID-19 tests at no cost starting in early spring. Under the new initiative, Medicare beneficiaries will be able to access up to eight over-the-counter COVID-19 tests per month for free.
WASHINGTON, D.C. (January 25, 2022)—As the omicron death rate escalates and weakens the nation’s capacity to provide care for millions of endangered older Americans, the national organization representing America’s nonprofit providers of aging services, including nursing homes, called on the president to work with Congress on a six-point package of emergency relief.
[UPDATED at 4 p.m. ET]
What group is especially vulnerable to the ravages of covid-19 even if fully vaccinated and boosted? Seniors. And who will have an especially tough time getting free at-home covid tests under the Biden administration’s plan? Yes, seniors.
WASHINTON, D.C. (December 21, 2021)—A federal appeals court has reinstated the Biden administration’s coronavirus vaccination or testing policy for large private businesses, reversing an earlier court ruling that had halted the mandate.
NEW ORLEANS, La. (December 15, 2021)—The Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals has revived the federal COVID-19 vaccine mandate for health care facilities, including home health agencies, in 26 states.
Updated Dec. 1, 2021, at 3:22 p.m. to include statement from NAHC.
JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (November 30, 2021)—A judge has blocked enforcement of the Biden administration’s COVID-19 vaccine mandate for health care workers in 10 rural states pending a trial over whether the federal government exceeded its authority in issuing the nationwide requirement.
SANTA MONICA, Calif. (November 16, 2021)—GoodRx, Inc., America’s digital resource for health care, released a new report on the State of Telehealth, examining the role the COVID-19 pandemic has played in reshaping virtual care and patient-provider interactions.
WASHINGTON, D.C. (November 4, 2021)—The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services issued an emergency regulation Thursday requiring about 17 million people working for some 76,000 health care providers—including those in home health, hospice and home infusion—to be at least partially vaccinated against COVID-19 by December 5, 2021.
WASHINGTON, D.C. (October 27, 2021)—Today, Congressman Jamie Raskin (Maryland) introduced a bipartisan resolution recognizing the significant contributions that respiratory therapists have made during the COVID-19 pandemic.
OWINGS MILLS, Md. (October 12, 2021)—Addus HomeCare, a provider of comprehensive homecare and support services, has joined the National Minority Health Association (NMHA) in support of the Flex for Checks program that aims to increase COVID-19 vaccinations among those living in medically underserved communities.
AUSTIN, Texas, (October 11, 2021)—Movair, a respiratory therapy company formerly known as International Biophysics Corporation, announced the U.S. commercial launch of Luisa, an advanced ventilator intended for use in homes, institutions, hospitals or portable applications for both invasive and noninvasive ventilation. Luisa can be used through the Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) Emergency Use Authorization in response to the increasing need for safe and effective ventilators.
WASHINGTON, D.C. (October 7, 2021)—The American Assocation for Homecare (AAHomecare) shared that it had received confirmation from the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), the agency that manages the Provider Relief Fund (PRF), that durable medical equipment (DME) suppliers are eligible for General Distribution Phase 3 and Phase 4 funding.
WASHINGTON, D.C. (October 5, 2021)—An audit of eight home health agencies (HHAs) by the Department of Health and Human Services Office of the Inspector General (OIG) found that most had infection control policies and procedures that met the standards set by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) and followed CMS COVID-19 guidance to safeguard Medicare beneficiaries, caregivers, and staff during the coronavirus pandemic, according to a report issued last week.