COVID-19 Federal Responses: Thursday, March 25, 2021

Legislation that would eliminate the 2% Medicare sequestration payment cuts until the end of 2021, may not be approved until after the legislative recess – mid-April. Currently, the moratorium is scheduled to end 3/31.
The Senatepassed一项法案,该法案扩展了应用程序的新时期Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loans through May.
The CDC updated many of its guidelines includingInformation about COVID-19 Vaccines for People with Allergies.
Newresearchshows that COVD-19 infection among people who are fully vaccinated is very rare.
Newresearchis helping us understand long-term COVID-19 symptoms.

Congress

The Senate passed legislation that furtherdelaysthe resumption of the 2% Medicare sequestration cuts through the end of 2021. Sequestration cuts are set to resume on April 1 without new action by Congress to extend the pause.
- The Senate removed the provision from the House-passed bill that would have waived the 4% Medicare PAYGO cuts for 2022 associated with the American Rescue Plan. Congress can still act later this year to cancel those cuts.
- The House must vote on the Senate’s version.
The Senatepassed一项法案,该法案扩展了应用程序的新时期Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loans through May.
The SenateconfirmedDr. Vivek Murthy as Surgeon General.
The Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP) Committee held ahearingon improving health equity and addressing health disparities in COVID-19.

During a press conference, President Biden said his new goal is to administer 200 million COVID-19 vaccine doses in his first 100 days as president.
The Biden Administration is extending its three month special enrollment period (SEP) for health insurance sold on healthcare.gov until August 15.
New research from the HHS Office of Inspector General highlights how COVID-19 “Strained” the healthcare system.
The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) updated its Data Snapshot of how COVID-19 has impacted the Medicare program and its beneficiaries.

Newresearchshows that COVD-19 infection among people who are fully vaccinated is very rare.
The National Institutes of Health (NIH)saysthat AstraZeneca relied upon outdated data for analysis that its COVID-19 vaccine is 79% effective. This prompted the company toreviseits analysis and conclude that the vaccine was 76% effective. Both sets of analysis found the vaccine was 100% effective against severe illness and death.
70% of people age65 and older have received at least one doseof a COVID-19 vaccine.
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA)approvesCatalent Pharma to produce doses of Johnson & Johnson’s (J&J) COVID-19 vaccine.
- The White House isconcernedthat J&J will not be able to produce its promised 20 million doses by the end of March.
Newresearchis helping us understand long-term COVID-19 symptoms.
During a House Financial Services Committeehearing, Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen said she expects the U.S. economy will return to full employment as early as next year. Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell played down the risk of rising inflation due to the amount of COVID-19 aid passed by Congress.
Unemployment claimsfellto the lowest level since the pandemic began.