POLICY BRIEFINGS

Administration Begins Distribution of ARP Rural Payments


The Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) has begun distribution of $7.5 billion in American Rescue Plan (ARP) Rural payments to providers and suppliers who serve rural Medicaid, Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP), and Medicare beneficiaries. According to HRSA, the average payment was approximately $170,700, with payments ranging from $500 to approximately $43 million. More than 40,000 providers in all 50 states, Washington, D.C., and six territories received ARP Rural payments.


Compliance with Federal Workforce Vaccine Mandate at 96%


Approximately 92% of federal government employees have received at least one dose of the COVID-19 vaccine, according to new data released by the administration last week. An additional 4.5% have either requested or been granted exemptions from the vaccine mandate for the federal workforce and contractors. About 3.5% of the workforce have not reported their vaccination status or sought an exemption. According to the White House, “agencies are beginning a period of education and counseling, followed by additional enforcement steps” for these individuals. The vaccination rate for the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) is 96%.


Upcoming Congressional Hearings and Markups


House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Health hearing “The Overdose Crisis: Interagency Proposal to Combat Illicit Fentanyl-Related Substances;” 10:30 a.m.; December 2


Recently Introduced Health Legislation


H.R.6064 —To direct the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to seek to enter into an agreement with the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine for a review of examinations, furnished by the Secretary, to individuals who submit claims to the Secretary for compensation under chapter 11 of title 38, United States Code, for mental and physical conditions linked to military sexual trauma. Sponsor: Rep. Nehls, Troy E. [R-TX-22]; Committees: House - Veterans’ Affairs

H.R.6060 – To amend the Public Health Service Act to prohibit governmental discrimination against health care providers that do not participate in abortion. Sponsor: Rep. Harris, Andy [R-MD-1]; Committees: House - Energy and Commerce

H.R.6058 — To extend the authority of the Secretary of Defense to transfer funds for a certain study on per- and polyfluoalkyl substance contamination in drinking water, and for other purposes. Sponsor: Rep. Dean, Madeleine [D-PA4]; Committees: House - Armed Services

S.Res.459 — A resolution expressing support for the designation of the week beginning on November 8, 2021, as “National School Psychology Week”. Sponsor: Sen. Padilla, Alex [D-CA]; Committees: Senate - Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions

H.R.6072 — To establish a program to assist States in establishing or enhancing community integration network infrastructure for health and social services; Sponsor: Rep. Kildee, Daniel T. [D-MI-5]; Committees: House - Energy and Commerce; Agriculture; Financial Services; Transportation and Infrastructure; Education and Labor

H.R.6075 — To amend the Public Health Service Act to expand and improve health care services by health centers and the National Health Service Corps for individuals with a developmental disability, and for other purposes; Sponsor: Rep. Moulton, Seth [D-MA-6]; Committees: House - Energy and Commerce

H.R.6076 — To direct the Secretary of Health and Human Services, acting through the Administrator of the Health Resources and Services Administration, to establish a grant program to be known as the Mental Health Licensure Portability Program to award grants to eligible entities, and for other purposes; Sponsor: Rep. Neguse, Joe [D-CO-2]; Committees: House - Energy and Commerce



November 29, 2021: | Page 1 Page 2

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