Staff Contact: Jane Drummond or Sarah Willson

Gov. Parson issued a new emergency declaration, replacing all previous emergency declarations issued to address the COVID-19 pandemic. Numerous waivers have been rescinded under the new declaration, which is focused on maintaining flexibilities needed by hospitals and other health care providers to respond to patient surge. MHA produced an updated waiver tracker, which is maintained on the COVID-19 section of its website under Government Action. This document reflects the regulatory waivers that remain in effect under the new executive order.

Staff Contact: Andrew Wheeler or Daniel Landon

With the U.S. Supreme Court’s invalidation of the most recent federal eviction ban, health care providers may wish to direct patients and families to rental assistance programs to help prevent them from becoming homeless. MHA compiled resources for both federal and state housing assistance to help renters from becoming evicted. Homelessness significantly affects health status and life expectancy.

Staff Contact: Daniel Landon or Andrew Wheeler

The State of Missouri submitted a required interim report to the U.S. Department of the Treasury regarding its federal State and Local Fiscal Recovery funding. In March 2021, Congress authorized the funding for state and local governments through the American Rescue Plan Act.

Staff Contact: Leslie Porth

The Biden-Harris administration released resources and tools to help states close health coverage gaps and provide funding to boost COVID-19 vaccinations and testing. Medicaid and Children’s Health Insurance Program guidance remains an integral part of ongoing efforts to the pandemic response. These efforts focus on COVID-19 testing in schools, coverage of habilitation services, enhancing access to COVID-19 vaccinations, incentives for expanding Medicaid and reducing health disparities.

Staff Contact: Andrew Wheeler

The Health Resources and Services Administration published a fact sheet that includes various personnel-related costs that can be covered by the Provider Relief Funds. According to HRSA, PRF “payments can be used for a wide variety of direct and indirect costs of recruiting and retaining personnel during the pandemic,” including the following.

• • incentive pay
  • retention bonuses
  • child care assistance
  • employment agencies
  • salaries for new or temporary staff
  • temporary housing

Staff Contact: Sarah Willson or Jackie Gatz

The Missouri Board of Pharmacy issued a bulletin stemming from questions/concerns from licensees regarding the increase in ivermectin prescriptions to treat/prevent COVID-19. The Board does not have a position on ivermectin. Licensees may use their discretion when asked to fill any prescription they believe is questionable/not issued for a legitimate medical purpose. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration issued consumer guidance in March 2021 confirming that it has not approved ivermectin for use in treating or preventing COVID-19.

Staff Contact: Sarah Willson or Jane Drummond

The Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services issued a new waiver related to Time Critical Diagnosis that will allow the department to use virtual technology to assist with surveys for designation of initial TCD centers. Missouri initial designation surveys have been suspended during the COVID-19 pandemic response. Hospitals should communicate with DHSS’ Nicole Gamm at Nicole.gamm@health.mo.gov regarding their interest in proceeding with their designation survey using virtual means.

Staff Contact: Kara Amann-Kale or Keri Barclay

In accordance with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices, a third dose of the mRNA vaccine for COVID-19 is recommended for individuals who are immunocompromised. Consistent with information presented and discussed at yesterday’s ACIP meeting, a booster dose — or an additional vaccination due to waning protection — has not yet been recommended and is still in the planning stages. MHA updated its Vaccine FAQs to provide additional information.

Staff Contact: Jane Drummond or Kara Amann-Kale

At MHA’s recommendation, the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services amended its contract with SLS Health to clarify responsibilities for ensuring staff retained to work in Missouri hospitals have the appropriate credentials and clearances. Provisions of the contract related to staffing monoclonal antibody infusion centers and hospitals were revised to make clear that SLS will be responsible for obtaining and maintaining records of licensure, certifications, background checks and completed vaccination against COVID-19. SLS also has agreed that it will not recruit individuals who have been employed in a Missouri inpatient, outpatient or primary care facility in the past 30 days to meet hospitals’ staffing needs.