October 2, 2020

Dear Friends,

The Department of Health and Human Services’ Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality announced a partnership with the University of New Mexico ECHO Institute and the Institute for Healthcare Improvement to establish a National Nursing Home COVID Action Network. This network will provide free training to nursing home staff across the country on evidence-based COVID-19 infection prevention and safety measures.

This is excellent news because telementoring resources like Project ECHO have been immensely beneficial for the continuing education of medical professionals. I’m glad the Trump Administration has unlocked yet another resource to help protect the most vulnerable population from this invisible enemy.

National Updates:
The Department of Health and Human Services(HHS) is sending $20 billion more to providers. This Phase 3 application opens on October 5 for previous recipients of Provider Relief Funds, and for previously ineligible groups.

• HHS and The Rockefeller Foundation launched a program to share best practices for rapid point-of-pare antigen COVID-19 testing, with a goal of helping K-12 schools safely reopen.
• HHS awarded $2.24 billion in grants to help state and local organizations care for HIV/AIDS patients.

The Food and Drug Administration revised the emergency use authorization for remdesivir in order to permit Gilead Sciences to distribute it directly to hospitals.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention extended the No Sail Order for cruise ships through October 31, 2020.

Until next time, this is your doctor’s note.

Congressman Michael C. Burgess, M.D.