August 25, 2020

Dear Friends,

Sunday, President Trump along with the Food and Drug Administration, announced that convalescent plasma may be effective in treating COVID-19, and issued an emergency use authorization for its use in treating hospitalized patients.

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services(CMS) released a Medicaid Informational Bulletin outlining available flexibilities to increase reimbursement for nursing facilities that implement specific infection control practices to prevent the spread of COVID-19.

• CMS has launched CMS Targeted COVID-19 Training for Frontline Nursing Home Staff and Management to equip caregivers with knowledge to stop the spread of COVID-19.
• CMS has announced additional efforts to increase COVID-19 surveillance in nursing homes, including new testing and data reporting requirements.

The Health Resources and Services Administration has awarded over $117 million in Quality Improvement Awards to 1,318 health centers across the country to further strengthen quality improvement activities and expand quality primary health care service delivery. Health Services of North Texas was a recipient of these award funds.

Texas Updates
Tarrant County residents should be aware of the free, saliva-based COVID-19 testing available in their community this week.

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

Congressman Michael C. Burgess, M.D.