CDC Ends Some Coronavirus Restrictions, Medicare Changes Under New Act
New CDC guidance signals the next step of coronavirus restrictions in the United States; President Biden will sign the Inflation Reduction Act bringing several changes to Medicare.
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By - Late last week, CDC introduced new guidance for dealing with coronavirus cases, removing several restrictions as the number of cases continues to rise throughout the country. Revised guidance will lift school restrictions and change quarantine protocol after exposure to the virus.
Meanwhile, the Inflation Reduction Act is set to become law with President Biden’s signature. The new law will grant Medicare the power to negotiate drug prices and solidify the subsidies that saved many consumers on their insurance premiums during the pandemic.
Cerner Settles for $1.8M in Discrimination Lawsuit
Cerner Corporation, a subsidiary of Oracle, will pay $1.8 million to resolve a racial discrimination lawsuit. During a routine compliance review for federal contractors, the US Department of Labor found that Cerner violated Executive Order 11246 because of its discriminatory hiring practices. Cerner denied that it discriminated against applicants for certain positions; still, the company has agreed to pay nearly $1.86 million in back pay and interest to 1,870 applicants. READ MORE.
Challenge to No Surprises Act Fails in Court
A New York surgeon lost his No Surprises Act legal challenge after US District Court Judge Ann Donnelly dismissed his claims that the law was unconstitutional. Daniel Haller, MD, filed a motion for an injunction against the act, arguing that physicians were disadvantaged by the independent dispute resolution process and should’ve been granted a trial by jury to conduct the procedure fairly. Judge Donnelly found that the act’s stipulations did not irreparably harm Haller, nor did he demonstrate the public benefit of injunctive relief. READ MORE.
HHS Invests $60M in Rural Healthcare Workforce
The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) will issue grants worth $60 million across rural areas to build the rural healthcare workforce. Community-based organizations in rural areas will leverage funds provided by HHS to increase operational capacity across their service areas.
“Today’s announcements are another important part of the Health Resources and Services Administration’s strategy to advance health equity for the nearly 65 million people who call rural areas home,” said Carole Johnson, Administrator of the Health Resources and Services Administration. READ MORE.
CDC Quietly Ends Several Coronavirus Restrictions
New CDC guidance lifts several coronavirus restrictions as the United States enters a new phase of the pandemic. The revised instruction from CDC officials lifts the requirement to quarantine if exposed and eliminates the test-to-stay policy at public schools.
"This guidance acknowledges that the pandemic is not over but also helps us move to a point where COVID-19 no longer severely disrupts our daily lives," said Greta Massetti, branch chief of the Field Epidemiology and Prevention Branch at the CDC. "We know that COVID 19 is here to stay,” she cautioned. READ MORE.
Biden to Sign Inflation Reduction Act
This week, the sweeping Inflation Reduction Act headed to President Biden’s desk will permanently instill the Affordable Care Act subsidies made available to consumers during the pandemic. In addition to the subsidies, the law will allow Medicare to negotiate drug prices starting in 2025. The law will also introduce a $2,000 out-of-pocket spending prescription drug cap for Medicare beneficiaries. READ MORE.
