Newswire Archives
Findings in a report from the Urban Institute suggest expanding Medicaid in additional states could further improve coverage and access to care among young adults, particularly those who are socioeconomically disadvantaged.
The report can be obtained at https://www.urban.org/sites/default/files/publication/103673/impacts-of-the-acas-medicaid-expansion-on-health-insurance-coverage-and-health-care-access-among-young-adults_0.pdf.
A new issue brief from Georgetown University identifies several policy options the Biden administration, along with Congress, could consider as it seeks to strengthen the Affordable Care Act’s state-based health insurance marketplaces.
The brief can be obtained at Federal Policy Priorities for Coverage: State-Based Marketplaces | Commonwealth Fund.
House Committees are considering their respective portions of the latest $1.9 trillion COVID-19 response package this week. On Wednesday morning the House Education and Labor Committee advanced their portion of the package, amounting to $357 billion, including $39.6 billion for colleges and universities. The House Budget Committee is expected to take up the package next week and it is expected to be on the House floor the week after that. The Senate has yet to consider the package.
Today, the Senate HELP Committee advanced the nominations of Education Secretary-Designate Miguel Cardona and Labor Secretary-Designate Marty Walsh. It is expected that their nominations will be taken up on the Senate floor expeditiously.
More details may be accessed here.
A report released by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on February 10. 2021 highlights the importance of good fit to maximize the performance of masks in offering protection from SARS-CoV-2.
The report can be obtained at Maximizing Fit for Cloth and Medical Procedure Masks to Improve Performance and Reduce SARS-CoV-2 Transmission and Exposure, 2021 (cdc.gov).
If enacted at the end of March 2021, the Raise the Wage Act of 2021 (S. 53, as introduced on January 26, 2021) would raise the federal minimum wage, in annual increments, to $15 per hour by June 2025 and then adjust it to increase at the same rate as median hourly wages. A report from the Congressional Budget Office estimates the bill’s effects on the federal budget, such as the cumulative budget deficit over the 2021–2031 period would increase by $54 billion, employment would be reduced by 1.4 million workers (0.9%), and the number of individuals in poverty would be reduced by 0.9 million.
The report can be obtained at https://www.cbo.gov/system/files/2021-02/56975-Minimum-Wage.pdf.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the health care field lost 29,600 jobs in January compared to an increase of 49,000 overall jobs. The monthly loss in health was the first since September 2020. As a whole, the health field accounted for just under 16 million jobs seasonally adjusted.
The report can be obtained at https://www.bls.gov/news.release/empsit.t17.htm.
In response to membership request, the ASAHP Leadership Committee successfully solicited individuals who are willing to serve as a mentor or 1:1 peer coach. The individuals who have volunteered to serve in this capacity are largely experienced deans and senior administrators. The committee is now working on developing a structure for this new initiative. The mentoring/coaching program will be targeted at individuals who would like to engage in coaching and/or mentorship to facilitate their success in allied health sciences administration in higher education. If you are interested in being mentored, please submit your contact information to Kristen Truong at kristen@asahp.org by Wednesday, February 24, 2021 and you will receive a follow-up survey to determine your perceived needs for additional development.
The House of Representatives on February 3 voted 218-212 to pass a budget resolution for FY 2021 that gives Congress the option to use fast-track procedures to pass President Biden’s $1.9 trillion COVID-19 relief package with a simple majority in the Senate.
The resolution can be obtained at https://budget.house.gov/sites/democrats.budget.house.gov/files/documents/Budget%20Resolution%20and%20Reconciliation-Final.pdf.
A Republican coronavirus relief proposal offers no aid to colleges and universities. A higher education group has called for $97 billion in aid, while Democrat are considering less than half of that amount.
The Inside Higher Ed article may be accessed here.
The Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee held a hearing on the “Nomination of Miguel Cardona to serve as Education Secretary.” Overall, Dr. Cardona received bipartisan support for his nomination. As a technical high school graduate, he emphasized the importance of career and technical education while calling for more affordable postsecondary education. He plans to introduce career and technical pathways to middle and high school students, and he encourages high school dual enrollment with community colleges, which he called “the nation’s best kept secret.” When questioned by Sen. Elizabeth Warren, Dr. Cardona agreed that students need relief from student loans and that the federal student loan process needed to be reformed.
Dr. Cardona plans to work collaboratively to re-open the Nation’s schools and address the widening educational disparities. He expressed support for charter schools but mentioned that students should also have access to high-quality neighborhood schools. Dr. Cardona was also questioned on transgender students in sports, rural education, Native American/Indian education, students with disabilities, student assessments amid the pandemic, protections for LGBTQIA students, Title IX policies, and students’ mental health.
Full memo is available here.
The 2021 Winter Member Meeting of the Interprofessional Education Collaborative (IPEC) Council took place virtually on Tuesday, January 26. The theme of this year’s meeting was “Advancing IPE for Health Equity & Social Justice” and ASAHP was represented at the meeting by Partnerships, Alliances and Advocacy Committee and Interprofessional Task Force Chair Dr. Anthony Breitbach as well as Dr. Charlene Portee from Alabama State University.
A summary of the meeting may be accessed here.
The Congressional Budget Office (CBO) projects that the economic expansion that began in mid-2020 will continue. Real GDP is projected to return to its pre-pandemic level in mid-2021. The number of individuals employed is projected to return to its pre-pandemic level in 2024.
The report can be obtained at https://www.cbo.gov/system/files/2021-02/56965-Economic-Outlook.pdf.
Today, President Biden signed an executive order designed to increase enrollment in comprehensive health care coverage. The order specifically focuses on improving the quality of coverage and removing barriers to enrollment in Medicaid and the Health Insurance Marketplaces.
The executive order can be obtained at https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/presidential-actions/2021/01/28/executive-order-on-strengthening-medicaid-and-the-affordable-care-act/.
Today, President Biden announced steps that will help meet the goal of administering 100 million shots in 100 days and ramp up vaccine supply as fast as possible. As a result of these actions, the federal government will have enough vaccine supply for the entire U.S. population by the end of the summer.
The announcement can be obtained at https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/statements-releases/2021/01/26/fact-sheet-president-biden-announces-new-steps-to-boost-vaccine-supply-and-increase-transparency-for-states-tribes-and-territories/.
Considering the experiences of the past year and looking for lessons learned and opportunities for the future, four major areas are discussed by the American Hospital Association that changed during the pandemic and are likely to keep transforming health care in the year ahead.
The areas can be obtained at https://www.aha.org/news/healthcareinnovation-thursday-blog/2021-01-13-using-lessons-pandemic-reimagine-health-care.
The White House has released its National Strategy for the COVID-19 Response and Pandemic Preparedness, a 200-page report, issued on January 21, that outlines the new Administration’s seven key goals.
The report may be accessed here.
President Biden sent a letter to the WHO to indicate that the withdrawal from the organization that occurred during the Trump Administration has been retracted.
The letter can be obtained at https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/statements-releases/2021/01/20/letter-his-excellency-antonio-guterres/.
HRSA’s Behavioral Health Workforce Education and Training (BHWET) Program for Paraprofessionals is now accepting applications. Forty three awards are expected and estimated total program funding is $24,300,000. The purpose of the BHWET Program for Paraprofessionals is to develop and expand community-based experiential training to increase the supply of students preparing to become peer support specialists and other behavioral health-related paraprofessionals while also improving distribution of a quality behavioral health workforce. A special focus is placed on the knowledge and understanding of the specific concerns of children, adolescents, and transitional-aged youth in high need and high demand areas at risk for behavioral health disorders.
More information may be accessed on grants.gov
The population of individuals eligible to be vaccinated will be broadened according to the Department of Health and Human Services. The federal government will ask states to begin vaccinating patients over the age of 65 and those with underlying health conditions that place them at risk for COVID-19.
Additional information can be obtained at https://www.defense.gov/Explore/News/Article/Article/2469056/officials-discuss-covid-19-vaccine-deliveries-and-prioritization-criteria/
The Association of Schools Advancing Health Professions (ASAHP) strongly endorses interprofessional education (IPE) and interprofessional collaborative practice (IPCP). Through the Award for Institutional Excellence and Innovation in Interprofessional Education and Collaborative Health Care, ASAHP looks to recognize a member institution and/or industry member for outstanding achievement in IPE and IPCP. In addition to the award, several institutions will also be recognized as “Programs of Merit” by ASAHP.
Visit asahp.org/ip-award for more information and to apply.
