MHA Today | February 22, 2021

Staff Contact: Andrew Wheeler

The U.S. House of Representatives’ Budget Committee released a 591-page, $1.9 trillion COVID-19 relief/stimulus proposal called the “American Rescue Plan Act of 2021.” MHA released an issue brief with a summary of the health care-related items focusing on Medicaid and the Children’s Health Insurance Program. The legislation also includes $14 billion for COVID-19 vaccine and nearly $200 billion for aid to state governments.

Staff Contact: Rob Monsees or Bill Anderson

State legislative committees today approved new versions of two health-related proposals.

• House Bill 755, which would revise current standards creating crimes of knowingly or recklessly exposing another person to HIV or other serious infectious diseases.
• House Bill 689, which would create a state tax credit for physicians and physician assistants providing preceptorships for medical or physician assistant students in primary care and psychiatric specialties. The tax credit’s cost to the state would be offset by an increase in physician and physician assistant licensure fees.

Staff Contact: Brian Kinkade

The Missouri Medicaid caseload grew by more than 11,000 in January to a record 1,040,000 participants. This marks the 11th straight month of caseload growth after more than two years of steady declines. Since Jan. 31, 2020, Missouri’s Medicaid caseload has grown by 193,500, or 23%. The number of children covered has increased by more than 121,000 during this time.

The unusual growth in the caseload is expected and will continue for the foreseeable future. To qualify for a 6.2% increase in federal matching funds under the Families First Coronavirus Response Act, states may not end a participant’s Medicaid coverage unless the participant moves to another state, dies or requests that their coverage end while the COVID-19 public health emergency is in effect. The Biden administration has signaled its intention to continue the COVID-19 emergency declaration through the end of the calendar year, thus extending the conditions leading to the unprecedented growth in Medicaid coverage. The extension of the PHE also extends the 6.2% increase in the federal Medicaid match rate, which will save the state more than $360 million in general revenue between July and December 2021.

Staff Contact: Brian Kinkade or Jane Drummond

The lawsuit filed by the American Hospital Association, America’s Essential Hospitals and other 340B stakeholders against the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services for not enforcing provisions of the law that preclude restrictive pricing practices by drug companies has been dismissed by the United States District Court for Northern California. The court ruled that the plaintiffs lacked jurisdiction because the federal agency’s 340B alternative dispute resolution process has not been exhausted.

Staff Contact: Kendra Hanauer or Dave Dillon

The most recent edition of the “COVID-19 and Delayed Care” series reviews the influence of delayed care on substance use disorder and neonatal abstinence syndrome. Researchers found between March and October 2020, emergency department treatment for opioid and substance use declined by 5.6%, or 621 fewer ED visits in the state. Similarly, 7.5% fewer inpatient visits — representing 576 fewer individuals — occurred. In addition, recent data released by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention indicates that in the 12 months leading to June 2020, 81,003 Americans died from drug overdose — a record death toll. Opioid use during pregnancy can harm a developing fetus and lead to withdrawal symptoms after delivery. Comparing 2019 and 2020 data, researchers found a 20.9% increase in NAS during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Detection and treatment of SUD and NAS can significantly improve patient outcomes. 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.

Staff Contact: Jackie Gatz

Saturday, Missouri passed the milestone for 1 million administered doses of COVID-19 vaccine. The total includes nearly 700,000 Missourians who have received a prime dose of the vaccine and more than 300,000 who have received the booster. Missouri’s hospitals have been essential partners with the state in delivering these vaccines into patient arms. Over the weekend, MHA announced the milestone, including thoughts from hospital leaders from throughout the state.

Staff Contact: Mary Becker

Last week, Iron County Medical Center, located in Pilot Knob, Mo., along with Iron County Health Department-Missouri, Iron County Ambulance District, Iron County Police Department, Meadow Heights Church and Survival Flight hosted the first COVID-19 vaccine clinic in Iron County. Throughout the two-day event, the team administered 400 doses of the vaccine.

Staff Contact: Bryant McNally

COVID-19 and overutilization of hospitals is making training and safety a higher priority than ever before. In response, APS and HSS are offering interactive eLearning to health care professionals through the TEAM, or Techniques for Effective Aggression Management, course. For additional information, contact Dennis George at 913-327-8730.