HHS Announces $2 Billion Nursing Home Performance Incentive

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services announced details of a $2 billion provider relief fund, which is tied to patient outcomes. The program is divided into four performance periods beginning in September. Each of the four performance periods will have $500 million available for distribution. The funding will be tied to the ability to keep new COVID-19 infection rates low among residents and the ability to keep COVID-19 mortality low among residents.

COVID-19 Data Submission Requirements And Potential Public Release Of Poor Performing Hospitals

Staff Contact: Leslie Porth or Jackie Gatz

Last week, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services published an interim final rule requiring hospitals to submit COVID-19 data as a Condition of Participation to the Medicare program. In addition to this requirement, a Wall Street Journal article alluded to intentions of the administration to publicly release the names of hospitals not complying with data submission requirements. MHA staff are seeking further information to the threshold that would trigger inclusion on a public list.

MHA staff developed a resource to provide technical assistance to submit data to TeleTracking and will continue to provide daily outreach to support Missouri hospital data submission.

Rural Resources

Connections For Community Care Project Available For Rural Health Clinics

Staff Contact: Dana Dahl

The National Organization of State Offices of Rural Health introduced the Connections for Community Care (C3) project. Funded by the Federal Office of Rural Health Policy, this project will provide rural health clinics with easy access to and technical assistance for comprehensive, community-centric COVID-19 onsite testing. The project and related resources are available at no cost. The project has structure and flexibility to meet the needs of both independent and provider-based RHCs, regardless of size and sophistication. Access additional information with an email expressing interest to rhccovidtestinginfo@nosorh.org.

Vaccine Updates

Biopharma CEOs Sign Historic Pledge On The Development Of COVID-19 Vaccines

Staff Contact: Terrie Bauer

The CEOs of AstraZeneca, BioNTech; GlaxoSmithKline; Johnson & Johnson; Merck (known as MSD outside the U.S. and Canada); Moderna, Inc.; Novavax, Inc.; Pfizer Inc.; and Sanofi announced a historic pledge, outlining a united commitment to uphold the integrity of the scientific process as they work toward potential global regulatory filings and approvals of the first COVID-19 vaccines. Additional details on the pledge are available.

Workforce

COVID-19 Surge Staffing Solutions Fact Sheet Available

Staff Contact: Jill Williams

A multilayered workforce plan enables hospitals to surge to inpatient capacity and/or stand up alternative care sites. MHA compiled a fact sheet to provide guidance and flexibility in designing the staffing plan hospitals deem most appropriate.

Noteworthy

MHA Launches New Website

Staff Contact: Kendra Hanauer or Brooke Doerhoff

MHA launched a new website — including an updated COVID-19 web page — today that offers a new communication approach. Users of the website now will find content sorted by its objective — to help hospitals effectively manage hospital operations, provide the best patient care possible and serve Missouri communities. And, you’ll discover how MHA supports hospitals’ efforts in these areas through advocacy, educational opportunities and collaboration.

Please take a minute to explore the newly redesigned MHA website. If you experience any issues accessing the new website, please note that it could take up to 24 hours for it to be visible to all users.

COVID-19 Update | September 8, 2020