During the COVID-19 outbreak, we published a regular newsletter with emergency updates. We also have a COVID-19 Resources page with updated summaries reflecting the current state of health policy.
Governor Cuomo Announces $88.6 Million in Additional Child Care Funding; COVID-19 Status Still Stable Today (September 14th), Governor Cuomo announced the 38th straight day during which less than 1 percent of COVID-19 tests statewide were returned positive. Yesterday, 63,358 test results were reported to the State, with 583 returning positive (0.83 percent). Hospitalizations, ICU occupancy, and deaths also remain stable…
Continue readingGovernor Cuomo Announces $88.6 Million in Additional Child Care Funding; COVID-19 Status Still Stable Today (September 14th), Governor Cuomo announced the 38th straight day during which less than 1 percent of COVID-19 tests statewide were returned positive. Yesterday, 63,358 test results were reported to the State, with 583 returning positive (0.83 percent). Hospitalizations, ICU occupancy, and…
Continue readingSenate Fails to Pass GOP COVID-19 Relief Bill Today (September 10th), the Senate failed to gain the 60 votes required for the Republicans’ proposed version of a new COVID-19 relief package, the “Delivering Immediate Relief to America’s Families, Schools and Small Businesses Act” (S. 178). The Senate vote of 52-47 was largely along party lines,…
Continue readingOn August 26th, the New York State Department of Health (DOH) released a notice that clarifies recent changes to Medicaid rates for various children/youth services, including: Children and Family Treatment and Support Services (CFTSS); Children’s Home and Community Based Services (HCBS); and Health Homes Serving Children (HHSC). Although the New York State FY 2021 Enacted…
Continue readingGovernor Cuomo Announces College and School Reporting Requirements, Plans to Protect Public Workers in Future Health Emergencies Today (September 8th), Governor Cuomo held a press conference in which he announced that the status of the COVID-19 outbreak in New York State remains steady. Of the 57,826 individuals tested yesterday, 557 (0.96 percent) tested positive. The…
Continue readingOn August 3rd, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) released an omnibus proposed rule that would update the calendar year (CY) 2021 Physician Fee Schedule (PFS), the CY 2021 Quality Payment Program (QPP) regulating incentive payments for Accountable Care Organization (ACO) and non-ACO participants, as well as policies for the Medicare Diabetes Prevention…
Continue readingGovernor Cuomo Issues Executive Order 202.59, Requires DOH to Develop COVID-19 and Flu Testing Protocols On August 28th, Governor Cuomo signed Executive Order 202.59 (available here) which extends several provisions related to the COVID-19 emergency through September 27th. This includes a provision that permits a practitioner to establish a patient relationship using only a questionnaire for…
Continue readingDOH Submits Amendment to Revise State Plan Based on COVID-19 Pandemic Today (August 27th), the New York State Department of Health (DOH) publicly posted a State Plan Amendment (SPA) which would, if approved by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), codify existing and make new adjustments to Medicaid operating and reimbursement policies in…
Continue readingHHS Extends Provider Relief Fund Deadline to September 13th On August 25th, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) announced that the deadline to apply for Phase 2 General Distribution Funding from the CARES Act’s Provider Relief Fund has been further extended to September 13th. Through the Phase 2 General Distribution, providers who bill…
Continue readingGovernor Cuomo Reports Low Infection Rate, Announces New Testing Initiatives Today (August 24th), Governor Cuomo held a press conference during which he announced that New York’s COVID-19 infection rate yesterday was 0.66 percent, which is the lowest since the declared start of the pandemic. The State’s infection rate has now continuously been under 1 percent…
Continue readingGovernor Cuomo Announces Lowest Reported COVID-19 Infection Rate, New Testing Initiatives Today (August 17th), Governor Cuomo held a press conference during which he announced that of the 56,891 COVID-19 tests conducted yesterday, 408 were positive (0.71 percent). This is the lowest infection rate in New York State since the declared start of the pandemic. As…
Continue readingGovernor Cuomo Reports Steady COVID-19 Numbers in New York State, Announces that Schools Are Permitted to Reopen Statewide Today (August 10th), Governor Cuomo announced that of the 54,002 COVID-19 tests conducted yesterday, 476 were positive (0.88 percent). There were 535 total hospitalizations related to COVID-19 and 2 COVID-19 deaths reported yesterday. On August 7th, the…
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