COVID-19 Federal Responses: Monday, March 15, 2021

This week, the House of Representatives will consider legislation to waive the 4% Medicare cuts set to take effect in 2022 under the Congressional PAYGO requirement as a result of the American Rescue Plan adding $1.9 trillion to the federal deficit. The bill would also extend the delayed 2% Medicare sequestration cuts through the end of 2021. The current sequestration pause expires on March 31. Encourage your legislators to support this legislation.
National Institutes of Allergy and Infectious Diseases’ (NIAID) Director Dr. Anthony Fauci is encouraging people to continue practicing safety measures until vaccination numbers have increased.
The Department of Health and Human Services’ (HHS) Office of Inspector General (OIG) updated its website where it consolidates its COVID-19 resources.
The CDC Updated its websites including COVID-19 Vaccination Considerations for Persons with Underlying Medical Conditions; 10 Things Healthcare Professionals Need to Know about U.S. COVID-19 Vaccination Plans; and Frequently Asked Questions about COVID-19 Vaccination.
Novavax’s COVID-19 vaccine candidate was 89.7 percent effective in phase 3 clinical trials in the United Kingdom. Like other vaccines, it displayed reduced efficacy against certain COVID-19 variants.

Congress

This week, the House of Representatives will consider legislation to waive the 4% Medicare cuts set to take effect in 2022 under the Congressional PAYGO requirement as a result of the American Rescue Plan (ARP) adding $1.9 trillion to the federal deficit. The bill would also extend the delayed 2% Medicare sequestration cuts through the end of 2021. The current sequestration pause expires on March 31.

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) is increasing Medicare payment rates for administering COVID-19 vaccines to $40 per administered dose.
The Biden Administration is preparing to issue new regulations to make the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) COVID-19 workplace safety requirements mandatory for six months.
National Coordinator for Health Information Technology (IT) Micky Tripathi said his agency is exploring “vaccine passports” that can be used to authorize travel or access certain businesses as the world re-opens.
National Institutes of Allergy and Infectious Diseases’ (NIAID) Director Dr. Anthony Fauci is encouraging people to continue practicing safety measures until vaccination numbers have increased.
The ARP expanded access to premium assistance subsidies for health insurance purchased on the federal exchange. The expanded subsidies will become available on April 1.
President Biden will appoint Gene Sperling to oversee implementation of the ARP’s relief provisions. Sperling led the National Economic Council (NEC) in the Obama and Clinton Administrations.
The Department of Health and Human Services’ (HHS) Office of Inspector General (OIG) updated its website where it consolidates its COVID-19 resources.

Novavax’s COVID-19 vaccine candidate was 89.7 percent effective in phase 3 clinical trials in the United Kingdom. Like other vaccines, it displayed reduced efficacy against certain COVID-19 variants.
Pfizer said a study of its vaccine in Israel found that its vaccine was 97 percent effective against symptomatic cases of COVID-19 and was 94 percent effective against asymptomatic cases.
The White House is preparing to launch a $1.5 billion advertising campaign to promote confidence in the COVID-19 vaccines.
Johnson & Johnson said it expects to produce up to 3 billion doses of its COVID-19 in 2022.
Pfizer and Moderna are on pace to reach their vaccine production goals.
Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen said she does not see a significant risk of inflation due to the multiple COVID-19 relief bills passed by Congress since 2020.