Black Americans Benefit from ACA, $560M in Provider Relief Funds from HHS
The ACA successfully decreased the uninsured rate among Black Americans, as shown in a recent study, and HHS is ready to dole out another $560M in Provider Relief Funds
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By - According to a new study, Black Americans saw an 8-percent reduction in the uninsured rate since the introduction of the Affordable Care Act (ACA) in 2010. This reduction reduced the total uninsured rate from 20 to 12 percent.
In other news, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) is providing $560M in additional funding to providers across the country as a part of phase four of the Provider Relief fund.
Meanwhile, CDC has decided to ease its mask mandates as coronavirus cases drop. And the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) is experimenting with the new Realizing Equity, Access, and Community Health (REACH) accountable care organization (ACO) model focused on underprivileged communities.
Office of Civil Rights Director Urges Cybersecurity Measures
A recent blog post courtesy of OCR director Lisa J. Pino emphasizes the need for increased cybersecurity among healthcare organizations. Pino, a former official at the Department of Homeland Security, laid bare the risk to consumers if organizations do not prioritize their data privacy measures :
“For healthcare, this year was even more turbulent as cybercriminals took advantage of hospitals and healthcare systems responding to the Covid-19 pandemic. More than one health care provider was forced to cancel surgeries, radiology exams, and other services, because their systems, software, and/or networks had been disabled,” she said.
Pino went on to list several recommendations, including the provision of encrypted data backups and security scans. READ MORE.
CMS Updates Direct Contracting with ACO Model
CMS has introduced the ACO REACH model to boost health equity by targeting underserved communities. This new model prioritizes provider-led organizations and focuses on beneficiary's rights in the healthcare market.
ACOs participating in the model are required to submit plans for addressing care disparities and beneficiary needs. The ACO REACH model also aims to elevate the needs of underserved communities by focusing on care delivery and coordination in these areas.
“CMS is testing a redesigned model because accountable care organizations make it possible for people in Traditional Medicare to receive greater support managing their chronic diseases, facilitate smoother transitions from the hospital to their homes, and ensure beneficiaries receive preventive care that keeps them healthy,” CMS Deputy Administrator and Director of CMMI Liz Fowler, PhD, JD, stated in the press release. READ MORE.
Black Americans Benefit from ACA
A new report from the Assistant Secretary for Planning and Evaluation's Office of Health Policy found that Black Americans have reduced their uninsurance rate since the introduction of the ACA. Since the passage of the Affordable Care Act nearly 12 years ago, the law has significantly expanded access to life-saving health coverage, including for Black communities across the country,” said CMS Administrator Chiquita Brooks-LaSure.
The study showed that before the passage of the law, 20 percent of Black Americans were uninsured, and in 2019 only 12 percent of that group was uninsured. READ MORE.
HHS Allocates $560M to Provider Relief Fund
HHS will dole out another $560 million in provider relief in phase four of their funding mission. This round of aid will amount to $11.5 billion of the $17.5 billion promised to providers across the country. The department stated that 86 percent of the phase four applications were processed, and the remaining applications will be processed in early 2022.
“Healthcare providers have continued to lead the fight against COVID-19 from the frontlines,” HRSA Administrator Carole Johnson stated in the announcement. “The Provider Relief Fund is an important resource in helping to support this work and sustain health services and the dedicated health care workforce across the country.” READ MORE.
CDC Eases Mask Mandates
The CDC decided to ease mask mandates for many Americans as of last Friday due to a drop-off in cases and lower risks associated with the Omicron variant. New guidance ties masking to three metrics: new Covid-19 cases per 100,000 residents in the past seven days; new Covid-19-related hospital admissions; and the percentage of hospital beds occupied by Covid-19 patients. READ MORE.
