MHA Today | February 10, 2021

Staff Contact: Dave Dillon

Tuesday, Gov. Mike Parson and the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services announced several developments in the state’s vaccination campaign. Parson announced information about new mass vaccination events supported by the Missouri National Guard. Event information, including dates and locations, is available online. DHSS announced that Walmart and Sam’s Club have been added to the federal pharmacy partnership with vaccinations to begin as early as Friday. The department also announced that retired health care providers would be eligible to administer vaccine under an amended standing order.

Staff Contact: Keri Barclay

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention published new research that finds wearing tightly fitting masks or layering a cloth mask with a surgical mask could reduce transmission of SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, by as much as 96.5% if both infected and uninfected individuals comply. Today, Dr. Rochelle P. Walensky, director of the CDC, announced these findings during the White House COVID-19 briefing and encouraged Americans to wear tight-fitting masks that have two or more layers. Dr. Walensky highlighted the importance of wearing masks as new variants are circulating.

Staff Contact: Dave Dillon or Kendra Hanauer

Early detection and treatment for disease can significantly improve patient outcomes, and making sure that children see the doctor for well-child visits and vaccines is critical to their health. Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, well-child exams decreased by 10.4%, resulting in 7,738 fewer exams between March and September.

Missouri hospitals and other health care partners are committed to improving patient health and are demonstrating the impacts of delayed care through the “COVID-19 and Delayed Care” digital campaign.

This week, assets were added to promote the importance of getting well-child visits back on track. Hospitals and community organizations are encouraged to share these important messages communitywide. Working together, we can remind Missourians that there is no reason to delay care, and that rescheduling regular health screenings may save lives.

CoxHealth reported that, as of yesterday, they have administered 6,200 doses of the COVID-19 vaccine this week through clinics in Springfield, Branson, Lamar and Monett. They were given 5,700 doses but were able to get about 500 extra doses out of many of the vials.

Today, Steve Edwards, CEO of CoxHealth, provided an update – and hope for the future – related to vaccine rollout, variants and what the health system is seeing with COVID-19.

Staff Contact: Rob Monsees or Bill Anderson

A Senate committee held a hearing on Senate Bill 103, which would create a Medicaid outpatient fee schedule that would pay hospitals 50% of the Medicare payment for those outpatient services. MHA and a number of its member hospitals expressed opposition to the bill in person or in writing.

Staff Contact: Daniel Landon or Rob Monsees

The state Senate Health and Pensions Committee reviewed Senate Bill 121, sponsored by Senator Bill White. The legislation was developed by MHA to highlight questions regarding the enforcement of state laws governing health maintenance organizations as they apply to Medicaid managed care plans, which must be state-certified HMOs.

Staff Contact: Ted Wedel

A state House committee held a hearing on House Bill 577. This legislation prohibits trial attorneys from introducing evidence of the cost of medical care that includes discounts or write-offs for such care. MHA testified in favor of the bill.

Staff Contact: Bill Anderson or Rob Monsees

A state senate committee held a hearing on Senate Bill 173, which modifies provisions relating to antipsychotic drugs for MO HealthNet participants. Once implemented, the bill would help ensure continued access to medication therapy for patients with mental health disorders. MHA testified in favor of the bill.

Staff Contact: Sherry Buschjost

The Joint Commission invites comments on proposed updates to the 2022 specifications for ePC-01, ePC-02 and ePC-06 measures to better assess and consider the potential impact for hospital care organizations and electronic clinical quality measures implementation. Comments should be submitted by Wednesday, Feb. 24. Previously submitted comments are available for review.

Staff Contact: Sherry Buschjost

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services extended the deadlines for submission of third quarter 2020 Hospital Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Providers and Systems data and electronic clinical quality measures. HCAHPS data now must be submitted by Wednesday, March 17. The submission deadline for eCQM was extended to Thursday, April 1. Additional details are available.

Staff Contact: Sherry Buschjost

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services published the Electronic Clinical Quality Measures Annual Update Pre-Publication Document, which describes changes in the standards and code system versions used in the updated eCQMs for potential use in CMS quality reporting programs for the 2022 reporting/performance period. CMS invites stakeholders to provide feedback on draft eCQM specifications that include logic and header changes for eCQMs under consideration for CMS quality reporting and payment programs by the Friday, Feb. 19, deadline via the ONC Project Tracking System eCQM Issue Tracker. Additional details are available.

Staff Contact: Dana Dahl

Succession planning for CEO and other senior leadership positions is critical to organizational continuity and stability, especially in a transforming health care field. However, throughout the years, research has shown that a majority of health care organization boards say they don’t have a formal CEO succession plan in place. MHA created a PowerPoint to help your organization understand why succession planning is so important.

Staff Contact: Dana Dahl

The Health Resources and Services Administration Office of Regional Operations – Region 7 is holding a two-day complimentary Grants 101 Workshop from 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. CST on Monday, March 8, and Tuesday, March 9. Workshop topics will include the federal grant application process, a technical resources demonstration, and engaging and collaborating with foundations. Registration is required.