Medicare Part B Sees Premium Hike, CMS Faces Vaccine Mandate Lawsuits
HHS Commits to funding COVID-19 vaccinations, tariffs are extended for medical supplies, Medicare part B premium hike, and CMS is sued over vaccine mandate
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By - The FCC and HHS both announced funding initiatives in the past week. The FCC will spend $700 million to expand rural broadband access and result in better telehealth opportunities for dispersed citizens. Another $143.5 million in HHS funding for COVID-19 vaccinations will be administered to vulnerable medical communities and local messengers supporting vaccination efforts.
At CMS, officials have announced premium hikes for Medicare Part B stemming from COVID-19 costs and new medications. Administrators anticipate that costs will be offset by Social Security cost-of-living increases.
Meanwhile, tariff exemptions for medical products have been extended for another 6 months this week. And vaccine mandates are being challenged in the courts as ten states sue CMS.
HHS Commits Funds to COVID-19 Vaccinations
Drawing from the American Rescue Plan, HHS has dedicated $143.5 million to eliminate COVID-19 vaccination barriers. Funding was split into two programs, the first supporting medically vulnerable populations and the second focusing on educating communities. In a press release HHS secretary Xavier Becerra explained “Today’s investments are part of the Biden-Harris Administration’s continued efforts to leverage trusted local messengers and support community-based efforts to vaccinate more Americans against COVID-19.” HHS also recently announced $650 million in funding for rapid testing programs. READ MORE.
Tariff Exemptions Extended for Medical Supplies
The Office of the US Trade Representative decided this week to extend tariff exemptions for medical products for another six months. Prominent medical groups such as the American Hospital Association supported the extension of tariff exemptions for medical supplies.
“As hospitals and health systems continue to navigate the difficult terrain of the COVID-19 pandemic, we ask that you consider the immediate benefit and reassurance that an extension of these tariff exemptions will provide,” The trade group said in a public statement.
Exemptions are now set to expire on May 31, 2022. READ MORE.
Premium Hike for Medicare Part B
CMS announced a premium hike for Medicare Part B last Friday. The hike will increase standard monthly premiums by roughly 15 percent and CMS is citing COVID-19 and Alzheimer’s drug Aduhelm among the top reasons for the increase. A 5.9 percent cost-of-living adjustments in social security is expected to offset these rising healthcare costs. READ MORE.
FCC Boosting Telehealth Access with $700 M Broadband Expansion
The Federal Communications Commission will leverage around $700 million in funding to support broadband providers and increase internet access in rural areas. Funds will be offered to nonprofit rural electric cooperatives who offer at least one voice and one broadband service. This funding plan is apart of the larger Rural Digital Opportunity Fund that is in the middle of a decade long $20.4 billion mission. Broadband internet expansion will hopefully advance the state of telehealth in underserved communities throughout the US. READ MORE.
CMS Facing Ten State Lawsuits over Vaccine Mandate
Ten states including Missouri, Nebraska, Arkansas, Kansas, Iowa, Wyoming, Alaska, South Dakota, North Dakota, and New Hampshire are suing CMS over its vaccine mandate for healthcare workers. Attorney Generals from these states claim that the mandate is unconstitutional and in violation of the Administrative Procedure Act (APA). Specifically, the APA requires that final rules are subjected to comment and notice periods, the vaccine mandate was not subjected to either. READ MORE.
