President Trump Ensures Safety and Well-being of America's Seniors Amid COVID-19 Outbreak

Strategic Insights -

The White House has announced a comprehensive plan to protect the safety and well-being of America's seniors during the COVID-19 outbreak. President Donald J. Trump is taking a multifaceted approach to ensure that senior citizens remain safe and have access to the healthcare resources they need. This includes distributing personal protective equipment to all 15,400 Medicaid and Medicare-certified nursing homes, increasing inspections of nursing homes, and requiring reporting of COVID-19 cases to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

Key Takeaways:

  • The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) is providing $81 million from the CARES Act to increase inspections of nursing homes.
  • FEMA will send supplemental shipments of personal protective equipment to all 15,400 Medicaid and Medicare-certified nursing homes in America.
  • A new rule requires nursing homes to report COVID-19 cases to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and post testing data online.
  • The Administration is establishing the Coronavirus Commission for Safety and Quality in Nursing Homes, composed of leading industry experts, doctors, and scientists.
  • President Trump signed historic legislation providing funding and flexibility for emergency nutritional aid for vulnerable Americans, including senior citizens.
  • The Administration dramatically expanded Medicare telehealth coverage, allowing beneficiaries to receive healthcare services from the safety of their homes.
  • The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) announced nearly $1 billion in grants to assist older adults and people with disabilities.

Statistics:

  • 15,400 Medicaid and Medicare-certified nursing homes in America will receive supplemental shipments of personal protective equipment from FEMA.
  • $81 million will be provided by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) to increase inspections of nursing homes.
  • 1,000,000 Americans are expected to benefit from the expanded Medicare telehealth coverage.
  • $1 billion in grants will be provided by the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to assist older adults and people with disabilities.

Sources:

  • The White House
  • Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS)
  • Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)
  • Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
  • Department of Health and Human Services (HHS)