MHA Today | May 24, 2021

Staff Contact: Brian Kinkade

Eli Lilly filed suit against U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra in U.S District Court for the District of Southern Indiana. A temporary restraining order was filed barring the Health Resources and Services Administration from enforcing penalties that HRSA threatened to impose if Lilly and five other drug manufacturers do not end their practice of discriminating against 340B providers dispensing drugs through contract pharmacies. Lilly asserts HRSA’s threat to impose penalties is improper considering ongoing litigation in which Lilly is challenging HRSA’s authority to prohibit the manufacturer’s contract pharmacy pricing policy.

Staff Contact: Sarah Willson or Jane Drummond

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s masking guidelines for unvaccinated and fully vaccinated individuals, in conjunction with the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services infection control guidance, reinforces the requirement for continued screening and masking in hospitals. In addition, the American Hospital Association recently published an article highlighting the continued masking requirements. MHA will continue to monitor guidance and inform members of changes.

Staff Contact: Stephen Njenga

The National Institute of Health and the National Institute on Minority Health and Health Disparities is hosting a virtual public health leadership discussion, “Addressing COVID-19 Health Disparities, Root Causes, Mental Health Impacts, Lessons Learned and Future Opportunities,” at noon CDT Thursday, May 27. The discussion will be led by Surgeon General Vivek H. Murthy and National Academy of Medicine President Victor J. Dzau. The lecture will address how public health leadership has shaped the COVID-19 pandemic response and identify efforts to address health disparities. Speakers will focus on potential root causes of health disparities and the mental health impact of the pandemic across diverse populations and geographic locations.

Staff Contact: Kelsey Hussey or Shawn Billings

MHA, in collaboration with Mid-America ATTC and the KC Perinatal Recovery Collaborative, is offering a complimentary three-part training series, “Embracing Pregnant & Parenting Families Challenged with Substance Use Disorder.” The virtual series offers health care providers, peer specialists and others a foundation that supports care to be provided in a manner that is grounded in recovery-oriented values and principles.

Session dates and topics are listed below. Registration for each session is required and available at the respective links. CEUs will be available.

• • Wednesday, May 26 – The Brain, Substance Use Disorders and Parenting: A Health Care Professional’s Guide to Universal Screening Practices
  • Wednesday, June 2 – Pregnant and Parenting Families with SUD: Evidence-Based Treatment, Neonatal Opioid Withdrawal and Supporting the Infant-Parent Relationship
  • Wednesday, June 9 – Stigma, Language & Implicit Bias: Moving Toward Becoming a Stigma-Free Provider