President Trump suspends travel from Europe for 30 days
President Donald Trump has announced sweeping travel restrictions — suspending travel for 30 days — on 26 European countries in a bid to combat the spread of the coronavirus. It includes countries within the Schengen Agreement, which abolished many of the European Union’s (EU) internal borders, enabling passport-free movement across most of the bloc. The United Kingdom, Ireland and other non-Schengen countries are not affected. U.S. citizens are also exempt. The EU condemned the measures. The new rules go into effect on Friday at midnight EDT. Read more here.
President Trump issues executive order making general use respirators available
President Donald Trump has issued an executive order making general use respirators available. The order reads, “It is the policy of the United States to take proactive measures to prepare for and respond to public health threats, including the public health emergency involving Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19), which was declared by the Secretary of Health and Human Services on February 4, 2020, pursuant to section 564 of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (21 U.S.C. 360bbb-3). We must ensure that our healthcare providers have full access to the products they need. On March 10, 2020, the Secretary of Health and Human Services took action by issuing a declaration pursuant to section 319F-3 of the Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. 247d-6d), which will help bring products necessary for addressing the epidemic to healthcare providers across the Nation. Unfortunately, at present, public health experts anticipate a shortage in the supply of personal respiratory devices (respirators) available for use by healthcare workers in mitigating further transmission of COVID-19…” Read on here.
Premier President Michael Alkire responds to presidential executive order; compares to WWII
Premier President Michael Alkire’s statement reads, “Today’s Executive Order is unprecedented. We as a nation have not seen something of this magnitude since WWII. The Executive Order creates opportunity for the United States to increase domestic manufacturing quickly to protect the public in light of the global pandemic. Already, Premier has been working with domestic manufacturers to expand production capacity for respirators, such as N95 masks. In addition, we have also been in discussions with non-healthcare, ancillary manufacturers to convert their facilities and accommodate the increased demand. The Executive Order will help expedite our nation’s ability to pursue alternatives and augment U.S. supply…” Read on here.
MGMA sends letter to HHS urging immediate action to implement new telehealth authority
The Medical Group Management Association (MGMA) sent a letter to HHS leadership urging immediate action to implement the new telehealth waiver authority. This step would allow medical practices more flexibility to provide telehealth services to their patients during the COVID-19 pandemic. It reads, “The Medical Group Management Association (MGMA) writes to urge you to take immediate action to implement the new telehealth waiver authority provided under the Coronavirus Preparedness and Response Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2020 (H.R. 6074). With a membership of more than 55,000 medical practice administrators, executives, and leaders, MGMA represents more than 15,500 organizations of all sizes, types, structures and specialties that deliver almost half of the healthcare in the United States…” Read on here.
Lawmakers push big pharma on possible drug supply chain shortages amid outbreak
Senators Marsha Blackburn (R-TN) and Bob Menendez (D-NJ) are among lawmakers concerned about possible drug shortages amid the coronavirus outbreak and are pressing pharmaceutical companies to bring manufacturing to the U.S. The senators have introduced a bill that would funnel $100 million to develop U.S. manufacturing of drugs. The Blackburn-Menendez proposal is at least the third legislative measure addressing the issue. Earlier this month, two Wisconsin congressmen, Democrat Mark Pocan and Republican Mike Gallagher, introduced the Medical Supply Chain Security Act, which could give the FDA the authority to identify sourcing locations for medical supplies. In 2019, Reps. John Garamendi (D-CA) and Vicky Hartzler (R-MO) introduced the Pharmaceutical Independent Long-Term Readiness Reform Act that would require the Department of Defense (DOD) to purchase only American medicines and vaccines. But some lawmakers are pushing for more urgent actions. Read more here.
Two major cruise lines suspend global operations due to coronavirus
Two major cruise lines have announced a temporary halt to global operations Thursday, cancelling cruises through at least April 30 due to the coronavirus pandemic, according to multiple news outlets. Viking Cruises was the first to suspend all cruises in response to the outbreak. Carnival’s Princess Cruises has also announced it was halting global operations of its entire fleet of 18 cruise ships for two months due to the outbreak. Princess Cruises operates two of the ships that have been recently hit by the coronavirus. Read more here.
More coronavirus resources from The Journal of Healthcare Contracting:
- FAQ/Insights – Helpful and relevant links to help you keep track of the ongoing epidemic
- News