This is a continuation of last week’s description of the American Rescue Plan Act. The $1.9 trillion COVID-19 relief measure has a lot in it that directly and indirectly addresses the impact of this year-long pandemic. It addresses many issues that have received increased focus because of this past year’s struggles (racial and regional inequities within the
On Thursday, March 18, 2021, the Senate gave final approval to California Attorney General Xavier Becerra to become the Secretary of Health and Human Services. The narrow vote of 50 to 49 represents an attempt of some interest groups to criticize the nominee on issues ranging from his administrative experience to whether or not he
The $1.9 trillion COVID-19 relief measure has a lot in it that directly and indirectly addresses the impact of this year-long pandemic. It includes several issues that have received increased focus because of this past year’s struggles (for example, the racial and regional inequities within the economy and health care system). There are limited added funds specific
Last week the Biden Administration announced the release of $250 million through the HHS Office of Minority Health for initiatives to promote vaccinations to minority and other underserved populations. The HHS Office of Minority Health (OMH) will offer the funding as health literacy grants to localities, who will partner with community-based organizations. The effort
On Tuesday, March 9, 2021, the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor & Pensions held a hearing entitled “Examining Our COVID-19 Response: An Update from the Frontlines.” Chairwoman Senator Patty Murray (D-WA) highlighted over half a million lives lost and 29 million infected across the country. She also discussed the impact the pandemic is
On Thursday, March 11, 2021, the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies held a hearing to discuss COVID-19 and the mental health and substance use crisis. Chairwoman Rosa DeLauro (D-CT) opened with remarks about the pandemic and how it has increased anxiety and depression, worsened mental health,
After an initial delaying tactic by Senator Ron Johnson (R-WS) that called for a reading of the bill throughout Thursday, the Senate moved on the American Rescue Plan on Friday morning. A CWLA description of the still-changing package can be found here. Earlier in the week, the Senate Democratic leadership was negotiating various alterations from the
The Special Enrollment Period (SEP) for Marketplace Affordable Care Act (ACA) that opened on February 15 continues through May 15, 2021, as more customers are using the opportunity to get health insurance. Last week, the Administration announced that the number of consumers who chose coverage through HealthCare.gov from February 15 through February 28 totaled 206,236. That was approximately
Senate Democrats are hopeful they can complete action on the COVID-19 relief/reconciliation legislation sometime late this week. The goal is to have a package on the President’s desk before extended unemployment runs out on March 14, 2021. There was a major setback for advancing a minimum wage increase as part of the package on
On Thursday, February 24, 2021, the Administration for Children and Families at the Department of Health and Human Services announced JooYeun Chang's appointment as the acting assistant secretary and principal deputy assistant secretary for the Biden Administration. Before this role, JooYeun served as the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services' Children's Services Agency