Key points in this update:
- With the potential for a second wave of COVID-19, the CDC recommends the use of face masks, social distancing, considerations for larger gatherings, and other precautionary measures.
- Bipartisan Senators support legislation to permanently expand some telehealth services for Medicare beneficiaries.
- Representatives call for legislation to create new Medicare reimbursement for telehealth services provided by community health centers and rural health clinics.
Congress
A bipartisan group of 30 senators submitted a letter to Senate leadership in support of legislation to permanently expand certain telehealth benefits for Medicare beneficiaries.
Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell, is set to deliver testimony about the outlook of the U.S. Economy at two hearings this week:
- The State Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs Semiannual Monetary Policy Report to Congress on Tuesday, June 16 at 10:00 a.m. ET.
- The House Committee on Financial Services Monetary Policy and the State of the Economy Hearing on Wednesday, June 17 at 12:00 p.m. ET
Representatives Glenn Thompson (PA-15) and G.K. Butterfield (NC-01) introduced the Helping Ensure Access to Local Telehealth (HEALTH) Act. The bill would create a new Medicare reimbursement for telehealth services provided by community health centers and rural health clinics.
White House and Federal Agencies
With the potential for a second wave of COVID-19, The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) continues to recommend the use of face masks, social distancing and other precautionary measures to reduce transmission rates.
- The CDC has also issued new guidelines and considerations for larger gatherings.
- The CDC recommends states re-implement safety precautions if they see a drastic increase in the number of COVID-19 cases.
The Federal Reserve’s Main Street Lending Program began accepting applications from lenders who want to participate in the program.
On Sunday, June 14, the CDC reported more than 2 million confirmed COVID-19 cases and approximately 115,000 deaths.
The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Office of Civil Rights (OCR) issued guidance in accordance with the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) explaining how providers can contact recovered COVID-19 patients about donating blood and plasma.
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) rescinded its emergency use authorizations (EUA) for both hydroxychloroquine and chloroquine as treatments for COVID-19.
The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) is hosting a webinar for nursing homes called Clinical Care: Managing COVID-Positive Residents, on Thursday, June 18 at 4:00 p.m. ET. The webinar will discuss the considerations necessary to manage the presence of COVID-19 in nursing homes.
The American Red Cross has announced that, for a limited time, they will be testing all donated blood, plasma, and platelets for COVID-19 antibodies.
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