Hospital assistance, free Medicaid, new drugs and vaccines depend on emergency extension
Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Xavier Becerra announced that the federal authorities are extending the declaration of a public health emergency due to COVID-19 for the eighth time effective January 16.
For the first time, a one-year emergency regime was first introduced in the country in March 2020 by President Trump, since then it has been repeatedly extended. And now the validity of the declaration has been extended for another 90 days.
This measure makes it possible to provide grants, conclude contracts and attract additional medical staff; allocate additional funds for laboratory research and development of medicines against the virus; distribute personal protective equipment, tests, available drugs between states. The Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has access to the Infectious Disease Rapid Response Reserve Fund to further respond to the pandemic to ensure the health and safety of US citizens both at home and abroad. And the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has the right to continue to use the wording “authorized for emergency use / EUA”, which will potentially speed up the approval of new drugs and vaccines, such as the much anticipated vaccine from Novavax.
On January 12, the American Hospital Association (AHA) also asked President Biden and (HHS) Chief Executive Xavier Becerra to extend the state of emergency: “The emergency declarations have proven critical in equipping hospitals and healthcare systems with the tools and resources needed to deal with COVID outbreaks. -19 and providing high-quality care in these unprecedented circumstances.” Using the state of emergency, hospitals have the right to postpone or cancel various procedures, and doctors can continue to receive patients using telemedicine.
Based on forecasts, the American Hospital Association asked for an extension of the state of emergency “for at least another 90 days” until mid-April – and this request was granted. According to HHS data, as of January 12, more than 151,260 patients with COVID-19 were hospitalized in the country, more than 24.7 thousand are in intensive care units.
Another important detail: while the state of emergency is in effect, state authorities cannot reduce the validity of Medicaid insurance. A conservative estimate is that up to 15 million people, including 6 million children, are at risk of losing this coverage after the end of the public health emergency, as it will cause states to lose federal funding and again be forced to constantly screen people for eligibility. Medicaid requirements.
In addition to the federal decision, each state may also declare a state of emergency due to the health situation. So, on January 12, New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy declared a state of emergency for a period of 30 days due to an increase in the number of coronavirus infections due to the spread of the Omicron variant.
In turn, the authorities of the State of New York, in connection with the emergency regime, announced the extension of the registration period on the official website of the NY State of Health health insurance plans. New Yorkers can also enroll in Health Insurance Marketplace plans by calling 1-855-355-5777 (Monday to Friday from 8:00 to 20:00 and Saturday from 9:00 to 13:00).
If you signed up before January 15th, your insurance will start on February 1st. Accordingly, if you register before February 15, then its validity will begin on March 1.
To help pay for public health insurance (Health Insurance Marketplace or Obamacare plans. – Ed.), under the American Rescue Plan Act, through the end of 2022, Americans are provided with a tax credit that can be used to reduce the cost of insurance coverage. Also, this loan can help people who were not previously entitled to state insurance due to the fact that their earnings exceeded the maximum allowable.
13.8 million Americans have already received public health insurance for 2022. Compared to last year, this is an increase of 21%. Across 33 states participating in the Health Insurance Marketplace, 4.6 million Americans will receive health care coverage for the first time.
.