Despite Losing Federal Money, State Is Still Testing Uninsured Residents for COVID — For Now

California is still offering free covid testing to uninsured residents even though the federal government ran out of money to pay for it. While Congress debates whether to put more money into free testing, California is leaning on programs it already had in place: special state-based coverage for uninsured Californians, school testing, and free tests ...

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Trump Era Rule That Expanded Duration Of Short-Term Health Plans In Democrats’ Crosshairs

Democratic lawmakers and advocacy groups are making a push to convince the Biden administration to nix a controversial Trump-era rule that expanded the duration of short-term health plans. A collection of more than 40 House Democrats wrote to Department Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Xavier Becerra earlier this week calling for the agency to ...

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KLAS: Hospitals Say Price Transparency Remains Too Confusing And Pricey To Implement

Hospitals and health systems believe a price transparency rule, while well-intentioned, is far too expensive to implement and is confusing, a new report found. The report released Thursday from the health IT firm KLAS Research underscores major compliance issues surrounding a landmark rule that requires hospitals to post payer-negotiated rates for certain services in an easy-to-understand format. ...

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HHS To Appeal Texas Ruling That Struck Down Key Parts Of Surprise Billing Rule

The Biden administration has filed an appeal to a ruling that vacated key parts of a rule that bans surprise medical bills. The Department of Health and Human Services announced in a legal filing late Friday that it is appealing the ruling to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit. The decision to ...

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TSA Stops Mask Enforcement After Federal Judge Voids Mandate

Federal officials stopped enforcement of a federal mask mandate Monday in transportation settings after a federal judge struck down the requirement, raising public health concerns and prompting several airlines to announce that face coverings are optional on domestic flights.

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Some California Transit Agencies Ask Riders To Still Wear Masks, Despite Court Decision

Some public transit agencies in California are asking riders to continue wearing masks on buses and trains, despite a federal court ruling in Florida on Monday that struck down the masking mandate on public transportation.

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Small Businesses Face $2 Billion Cut From Covid-19 Relief Fund

Congress is considering taking back some of the money it authorized last year for a small business aid program in order to pay for new Covid-19 vaccines, testing and therapeutics.

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After a 2-Year Ban, Hugs Are Back at Disneyland

As the smell of cinnamon rolls and suntan lotion wafted through the spring air at Disneyland on Monday morning, Rory Sutherland flung herself on the sidewalk and had what can only be described as a hissy fit. She was ready for a hug from Mickey Mouse — in fact, beyond ready: For more than two ...

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Many Workers, Particularly at Small Firms, Face High Premiums to Enroll in Family Coverage, Leaving Many in the ‘Family Glitch’

The Biden Administration recently issued a proposed rule to make it easier for family members of workers offered health insurance at their jobs to qualify for premium tax credits for Marketplace coverage. The proposal aims to address what has been called the “family glitch”. Under the ACA, an individual enrolling in a Marketplace plan is not eligible ...

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DMHC Guidance Confirms that California Law, Not the Federal No Surprises Act, Governs Payment and Dispute Resolution Processes for Certain...

Executive Summary The California Department of Managed Health Care (“DMHC”) issued a recent guidance interpreting the application of the No Surprises Act (“NSA”)—a new federal law prohibiting out-of-network healthcare providers from balance-billing patients for certain emergency and non-emergency services—in California.  Significantly, when determining which payment and dispute resolution processes will apply in a dispute regarding the value ...

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