Today, the U.S. House of Representatives voted 220-211 to approve the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021, a $1.9 trillion COVID-19 relief package. The House approved the version of the bill that the Senate approved on March 6. The bill includes $39.6 billion for institutions of higher education and students. It also includes a provision that any loan forgiveness received in the near term will not be included as income for an individual’s tax purposes. Next, the legislation goes to President Biden for his signature.
President Biden Issues Executive Order on Title IX
ASAHP Joins Friends of HRSA In Sending FY 22 Funding Request to Congressional Appropriators
ASAHP was part of 112 organizations that sent a letter to key Congressional appropriations as part of the Friends of HRSA coalition. The coalition requests $9.2 billion for discretionary Health Resources and Services Administration programs in the FY 2022 Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies appropriations bill.
The letter may be accessed here.
Congressional Hearing on Health Profession Opportunity Grants
On Wednesday, March 10, at 2pm Eastern, the House Ways and Means Worker and Family Support Subcommittee will hold a hearing on “Health Profession Opportunity Grants: Past Successes and Future Uses”.
More information and the link to view the hearing may be accessed here. The opening statement from Subcommittee Chair Danny Davis (D-IL) may be found here.
Preventing Health Care Provider Burnout
The Dr. Lorna Breen Health Care Provider Protection Act, bicameral and bipartisan legislation, was introduced in Congress today to prevent suicide, burnout, and behavioral health disorders among health care professionals.
The bill’s text can be obtained at https://www.scribd.com/document/497258598/Kaine-Leads-Colleagues-in-Bipartisan-Bicameral-Legislation-to-Support-Health-Care-Workers-Mental-Health-Amid-Covid-19.
House Hearing On COVID-19 And “The Future Of Telehealth”
A hearing on the future of telehealth as a result of COVID-19 was held this morning by the House Committee on Energy & Commerce.
Expert testimony can be obtained at https://energycommerce.house.gov/committee-activity/hearings/hearing-on-the-future-of-telehealth-how-covid-19-is-changing-the.
ASAHP Supports Robust CDC Funding
ASAHP joined 193 fellow members of the CDC Coalition in a letter to congressional appropriators recommending that the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s programs receive at least $10 billion in funding in the FY 2022 Labor, Health and Human Services, Education and Related Agencies Appropriations bill.
The letter may be accessed here.
Congress to Hold Hearing on the Future of Telehealth
On Tuesday, the Subcommittee on Health of the Committee on Energy and Commerce will hold a hearing entitled, "The Future of Telehealth: How COVID-19 is Changing the Delivery of Virtual Care." The hearing will take place at 10:30am and will be livestreamed.
The livestream and a memorandum from Committee Chairman Frank Pallone Jr. may be accessed here.
Updated Report On A Medicaid Program Overview
The Congressional Research Service has issued an updated overview of the federal-state Medicaid program.
The overview can be obtained at https://fas.org/sgp/crs/misc/R43357.pdf.
How to Handle Conflicting Advice From Healthcare Providers
Seraphina Seow examines what to do when provided with conflicting advice from healthcare providers. Her recommendations include asking the provider to explain their reasoning, being upfront, encouraging providers to come to an agreement, mulling over the options, and formulating a plan. ASAHP President Dr. Phyllis King is quoted in the article.
The article may be accessed here.
ACA Health Insurance Coverage Of Young Adults
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.
Options For Strengthening State Insurance Marketplaces
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 Education Committee Advances COVID-19 Relief Spending
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.
Maximizing SARS-CoV-2 Mask Protection
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).
Budgetary Effects Of The Raise The Wage Act Of 2021
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.
Loss Of Health Care Field Jobs In January 2021
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.
ASAHP Call for Mentees
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.
House Adopts Budget Resolution For COVID-19 Relief Plan
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.
Democrats and Higher Education Groups Oppose Republican COVID-19 Plan
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.
Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee Holds Hearing for Department of Education Secretary
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.