CDC Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices Recommendation on Vaccine Allocation
At the December 1, 2020 emergency meeting, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC)’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) approved<https://urldefense.com/v3/__http:/r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001w-TAA43kAsaDLnI0jIM4TvBg1DqwFde5Zegeir9lSRDLoUUFSeSxcxFGTDDwPaE-J4P5lvrn-RN_Si0V50kTZYF22EwCCAx3BU6wHVst69ch8IiqIq7DSi7OL-c6S72kjm7bvAm_KnmdMwp4xSkH5aWuZLGJ8RC3cGoEkq7hqD_ymGLpbRnioAClMka-5yng&c=mXStoEqUQoUHNerQ7Uj-_F-NiKxhqRP5l3i3BKzE_0c8nXA0cBPclw==&ch=7_6b4CfFz7lOpP1bkP8vdjyw2MDiSp3A7BSNsGPVqVO_kwc1o37Sag==__;!!LIYSdFfckKA!jRQixw5EBVTfG91EzJ8yk0uCQ2bwVev-LDFw4v6sUM8TDl8eqzK9UOLXjFrKpqqML_TMUW0$> the recommendation that when a COVID-19 vaccine is authorized by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and recommended by the ACIP, vaccination in the initial phase should be offered to both health care personnel and residents of long-term care facilities. This recommendation has been adopted by the CDC Director. The FDA’s Vaccines and Related Biological Products Advisory Committee (VRBPAC) will meet<https://urldefense.com/v3/__http:/r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001w-TAA43kAsaDLnI0jIM4TvBg1DqwFde5Zegeir9lSRDLoUUFSeSxcxFGTDDwPaE-FD37c1uBgO6EA-Ckee7ZKABOyG5-XXxeqbJhknTztECfmmOQ4m5w_wy7-MCCrPf78IAWtJzeuCLkbmiMN2ARtiL7lwzuBvhjvq1VnOQeyQ-PQ8S_9gfKZDtW_FhqP7kd-yRgco0MVqcmbxhcq1fglmxEz9Fgt-cUhsufPTzYleH8FqOz2Ylf1Pxyvq56SSKalj-UgJQjyq0=&c=mXStoEqUQoUHNerQ7Uj-_F-NiKxhqRP5l3i3BKzE_0c8nXA0cBPclw==&ch=7_6b4CfFz7lOpP1bkP8vdjyw2MDiSp3A7BSNsGPVqVO_kwc1o37Sag==__;!!LIYSdFfckKA!jRQixw5EBVTfG91EzJ8yk0uCQ2bwVev-LDFw4v6sUM8TDl8eqzK9UOLXjFrKpqqMeSmzGuA$> December 10 and December 17 to review clinical trial data submitted for emergency use authorization by Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna Inc, respectively.

GAO Report Examines Federal COVID-19 Response with New Recommendations

NEW - GAO Report Examines Federal COVID-19 Response with New Recommendations

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December 3, 2020

GAO Report Examines Federal COVID-19 Response with New Recommendations
The Government Accountability Office (GAO) released<https://urldefense.com/v3/__http:/r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001w-TAA43kAsaDLnI0jIM4TvBg1DqwFde5Zegeir9lSRDLoUUFSeSxc1u3isbctdC1BCrjdmjarxUkge4glHUVcbdzf_bg_ulf2NvNqnQATnCNcC43i34brSAQHIEmB0j9S0zbVBJkBftsZSUxCMerqeDmebvGEtuXJM8wE0mRXHA=&c=mXStoEqUQoUHNerQ7Uj-_F-NiKxhqRP5l3i3BKzE_0c8nXA0cBPclw==&ch=7_6b4CfFz7lOpP1bkP8vdjyw2MDiSp3A7BSNsGPVqVO_kwc1o37Sag==__;!!LIYSdFfckKA!jRQixw5EBVTfG91EzJ8yk0uCQ2bwVev-LDFw4v6sUM8TDl8eqzK9UOLXjFrKpqqMfLfEH7A$> a report examining the federal government’s continued efforts to respond to and recover from the COVID-19 pandemic, and makes 11 new recommendations to federal agencies and raises one new matter for congressional consideration. Areas covered include medical supply shortages, COVID-19 testing, COVID-19 vaccines and therapeutics, nursing home care, assistance to individuals and businesses, and program integrity. The CARES Act included a provision for GAO to report on its ongoing monitoring and oversight efforts related to the COVID-19 pandemic. GAO reviewed data, documents, and guidance from federal agencies about their activities and interviewed federal and state officials. GAO also sent a survey to public health and emergency management officials in the 50 states, Washington, D.C., and the five U.S. territories regarding medical supplies.

CDC Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices Recommendation on Vaccine Allocation
At the December 1, 2020 emergency meeting, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC)’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) approved<https://urldefense.com/v3/__http:/r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001w-TAA43kAsaDLnI0jIM4TvBg1DqwFde5Zegeir9lSRDLoUUFSeSxcxFGTDDwPaE-J4P5lvrn-RN_Si0V50kTZYF22EwCCAx3BU6wHVst69ch8IiqIq7DSi7OL-c6S72kjm7bvAm_KnmdMwp4xSkH5aWuZLGJ8RC3cGoEkq7hqD_ymGLpbRnioAClMka-5yng&c=mXStoEqUQoUHNerQ7Uj-_F-NiKxhqRP5l3i3BKzE_0c8nXA0cBPclw==&ch=7_6b4CfFz7lOpP1bkP8vdjyw2MDiSp3A7BSNsGPVqVO_kwc1o37Sag==__;!!LIYSdFfckKA!jRQixw5EBVTfG91EzJ8yk0uCQ2bwVev-LDFw4v6sUM8TDl8eqzK9UOLXjFrKpqqML_TMUW0$> the recommendation that when a COVID-19 vaccine is authorized by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and recommended by the ACIP, vaccination in the initial phase should be offered to both health care personnel and residents of long-term care facilities. This recommendation has been adopted by the CDC Director. The FDA’s Vaccines and Related Biological Products Advisory Committee (VRBPAC) will meet<https://urldefense.com/v3/__http:/r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001w-TAA43kAsaDLnI0jIM4TvBg1DqwFde5Zegeir9lSRDLoUUFSeSxcxFGTDDwPaE-FD37c1uBgO6EA-Ckee7ZKABOyG5-XXxeqbJhknTztECfmmOQ4m5w_wy7-MCCrPf78IAWtJzeuCLkbmiMN2ARtiL7lwzuBvhjvq1VnOQeyQ-PQ8S_9gfKZDtW_FhqP7kd-yRgco0MVqcmbxhcq1fglmxEz9Fgt-cUhsufPTzYleH8FqOz2Ylf1Pxyvq56SSKalj-UgJQjyq0=&c=mXStoEqUQoUHNerQ7Uj-_F-NiKxhqRP5l3i3BKzE_0c8nXA0cBPclw==&ch=7_6b4CfFz7lOpP1bkP8vdjyw2MDiSp3A7BSNsGPVqVO_kwc1o37Sag==__;!!LIYSdFfckKA!jRQixw5EBVTfG91EzJ8yk0uCQ2bwVev-LDFw4v6sUM8TDl8eqzK9UOLXjFrKpqqMeSmzGuA$> December 10 and December 17 to review clinical trial data submitted for emergency use authorization by Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna Inc, respectively.

NGA Releases Publication on the Future of State Telehealth Policy
The National Governors Association (NGA) released<https://urldefense.com/v3/__http:/r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001w-TAA43kAsaDLnI0jIM4TvBg1DqwFde5Zegeir9lSRDLoUUFSeSxcxFGTDDwPaE-dcJY_fDmm-CY1AU1IJnSDwmqPMRfJylYugONbWyhFI53U9x-PaIkWTXcU79StoNEDOgzYp6-X0mKHFN0uZ3LIHB1eUaXoixAJkNz7mfmvYNejvxlJTWK187EhESoZqy6SIqJGbMXDWJl2b2st72vfyAfiKJ2htj0&c=mXStoEqUQoUHNerQ7Uj-_F-NiKxhqRP5l3i3BKzE_0c8nXA0cBPclw==&ch=7_6b4CfFz7lOpP1bkP8vdjyw2MDiSp3A7BSNsGPVqVO_kwc1o37Sag==__;!!LIYSdFfckKA!jRQixw5EBVTfG91EzJ8yk0uCQ2bwVev-LDFw4v6sUM8TDl8eqzK9UOLXjFrKpqqM3OlJ4xc$> a publication, The Future of State Telehealth Policy. This publication highlights policy issues that governors and their staff may consider as they decide what telehealth flexibilities should remain permanent after the public health emergency is lifted. The paper includes considerations about topics such as interstate licensure, coverage, payment, equity, interoperability, privacy and engaging stakeholders to help inform policy.

HHS OIG Examines Opioid Treatment During COVID-19
The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Office of Inspector General (OIG) released<https://urldefense.com/v3/__http:/r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001w-TAA43kAsaDLnI0jIM4TvBg1DqwFde5Zegeir9lSRDLoUUFSeSxc1u3isbctdC1kUXKbBc4y3EdKQEVRY7PMVdKUfmUr5JdEb-DsGX7ZGiK8PKDujyseBTNJPOXn2yQvRuV-HFIH_cy11aChHkoJbZ9s3BdDLUKSyy1dqnWnWLDqS_6hGBCWO8bexwz3eXd&c=mXStoEqUQoUHNerQ7Uj-_F-NiKxhqRP5l3i3BKzE_0c8nXA0cBPclw==&ch=7_6b4CfFz7lOpP1bkP8vdjyw2MDiSp3A7BSNsGPVqVO_kwc1o37Sag==__;!!LIYSdFfckKA!jRQixw5EBVTfG91EzJ8yk0uCQ2bwVev-LDFw4v6sUM8TDl8eqzK9UOLXjFrKpqqMplB0-cA$> a report on challenges encountered by opioid treatment programs during the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as actions taken to address the challenges. Challenges included maintaining pre-pandemic service levels, managing impacts on facility operations, implementing and using telehealth, and implementing governmental guidance.

CMS Releases Updated 2021 SSI and Spousal Impoverishment Standards
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) released<https://urldefense.com/v3/__http:/r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001w-TAA43kAsaDLnI0jIM4TvBg1DqwFde5Zegeir9lSRDLoUUFSeSxc1u3isbctdC1BGJdASxOh-Y_O401VvDdzK0ub0pF64-S6HVp68mDoOOuL27I2pzRnLJODBFHsjFGR8yVVPsb315JCc5YT9z42wtlRUPPphnO0c0kMy5GUA28gGDV8oaaEn1KarY5-sPJQtSZ1_z_7Vw5CUZoGcy7fg==&c=mXStoEqUQoUHNerQ7Uj-_F-NiKxhqRP5l3i3BKzE_0c8nXA0cBPclw==&ch=7_6b4CfFz7lOpP1bkP8vdjyw2MDiSp3A7BSNsGPVqVO_kwc1o37Sag==__;!!LIYSdFfckKA!jRQixw5EBVTfG91EzJ8yk0uCQ2bwVev-LDFw4v6sUM8TDl8eqzK9UOLXjFrKpqqMfBzXQz4$> an informational bulletin regarding 2021 Supplemental Security Income (SSI) and Spousal Impoverishment Standards. Certain Medicaid income and resource standards are adjusted beginning each January in accordance with changes in the SSI federal benefit rate and the Consumer Price Index (CPI). The chart included in the information bulletin displays the new standards and should be used in accordance with provisions that become effective on January 1, 2021.

NGA Paper on Supporting State Behavioral Health Systems During COVID-19
The National Governors Association (NGA), in partnership with the Technical Assistance Collaborative, released<https://urldefense.com/v3/__http:/r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001w-TAA43kAsaDLnI0jIM4TvBg1DqwFde5Zegeir9lSRDLoUUFSeSxcxFGTDDwPaE-oe3uqJj-fbZZU7KQdhd2nPdmystl97SDIQncg_E-3a2q7X_eiMXovD7tdYpiaY24ZwFr58B4cAXC41HPPJEmHXwmvBn3lW8t5QBSjc7a0MynzwEtzrHMzDcIoCQZ9tztWXX9IAnGyYAFElmk1_AuODN9sWOBRp9KrkZyFNJ4QvHP-WFR2W6ueCtQVcnsa1U0evEF0NXJ9zasbzmDnHhh5rzX0VdM1tQc9dPh9FmR-Os=&c=mXStoEqUQoUHNerQ7Uj-_F-NiKxhqRP5l3i3BKzE_0c8nXA0cBPclw==&ch=7_6b4CfFz7lOpP1bkP8vdjyw2MDiSp3A7BSNsGPVqVO_kwc1o37Sag==__;!!LIYSdFfckKA!jRQixw5EBVTfG91EzJ8yk0uCQ2bwVev-LDFw4v6sUM8TDl8eqzK9UOLXjFrKpqqMGEnRLgs$> a paper, Supporting State Behavioral Health Systems During COVID-19 Response and Recovery to identify key issues challenging state behavioral health systems. The paper provides state examples and focuses on ways to maintain access to treatment and services, flexibility of policies, and available state and federal resources.

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