joshadmin

10
Apr

Joint Statement from California Health & Human Services Leaders on Affordable Care Act Federal Ruling

Joint Statement from California Health & Human Services Leaders on Affordable Care Act Federal Ruling April 4, 2023 | Source: DMHC California Health & Human Services Agency (CalHHS) Secretary Dr. Mark Ghaly, Covered California Executive Director Jessica Altman and Department of Managed Health Care (DMHC) Director Mary Watanabe issued the following joint statement after a federal judge in Texas issued a ruling today

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3
Mar

Specialty Pharmacy Costs, Mental Health Are Top Employer Concerns. Here’s Why

March 2, 2023 | Source: Fierce Healthcare, by Frank Diamond Self-insured employers view the cost of specialty drugs as a major challenge in providing health benefits, according to a survey released yesterday by the Midwest Business Group on Health (MBGH). Cheryl Larson, MBGH’s president and CEO, told Fierce Healthcare that “the new million-dollar treatments approved by the FDA; 30 of our employers

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22
Feb

Reported HIPAA Complaints and Breaches Shot Up From 2017 to 2021: HHS

February 21, 2023 | Source: The Hill, by Joseph Choi A report released on Friday found that HIPAA complaints and breaches spiked between 2017 and 2021, with the agency in charge of handling the notices saying it lacks sufficient resources to properly respond. The Health Information Technology for Economic and Clinical Health Act requires the Department of Health and Human

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16
Feb

Era Of ‘Free’ COVID Vaccines, Test Kits, And Treatments Is Ending: Who Pays Now?

Source: BenefitsPRO, by Julie Appleby Time is running out for free-to-consumer COVID vaccines, at-home test kits, and even some treatments. The White House announced this month that the national public health emergency, first declared in early 2020 in response to the pandemic, is set to expire May 11. When it ends, so will many of the policies designed to combat the virus’s spread.

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6
Feb

U.S. to End COVID-19 Emergency Declarations on May 11

Source: Reuters WASHINGTON, Jan 30 (Reuters) – President Joe Biden’s administration on Monday said it will end COVID-19 emergency declarations on May 11, nearly three years after the United States imposed sweeping pandemic measures to curb the spread of the illness. The COVID-19 national emergency and public health emergency (PHE) were put in place in 2020 by then-President Donald Trump.

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11
Jan

Healthcare Priorities For The Next Congress

Source: Forbes, by Sally Pipes What kind of healthcare reforms can we expect from the 118th Congress? The outlook is a bit cloudy. At long last, Congress will likely turn its attention to things other than COVID-19. But Democrats have lost their legislative trifecta and will have to work with a House narrowly controlled by Republicans. But if lawmakers are

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17
Mar

Federal Law Alert – ARPA Information

American Rescue Plan Act Signed Into Law The American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA), which is the latest bill to address the ongoing economic impacts of COVID-19, has been signed into law. Most aspects of the law do not directly affect the HR function, but those that do—optional extension of sick and family leave and establishment of COBRA subsidies—are outlined below.

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10
Mar

Legislative Update: American Rescue Plan

The House of Representatives just voted to approve the $1.9 trillion coronavirus relief package caled The American Rescue Plan. The Senate passed the bill over the weekend and it will now go to President Biden, who is expected to sign it before his address to the country tomorrow night.  Almost a year to the day after the Trump Administration provided

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22
Apr

Don’t forget to go outside…

Today is Earth Day, and while many of us are distracted with news about COVID-19, stimulus, oil futures, or whatever else there may be, we can’t forget that it is important to get outside and enjoy the sunshine and nature. In fact, research shows that getting outside is good for your mental health, and we could all use some improved

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