Gottlieb, McClellan Push For National COVID-19 Surveillance System
Former FDA chiefs Scott Gottlieb and Mark McClellan are pushing for the government to implement a national surveillance system for COVID-19.

Trump Slams HHS OIG Report On Hospitals' COVID-19 Needs
The Trump administration slammed an HHS Office of Inspector General report released Monday (April 6) that found hospitals are facing significant challenges with medical supplies, protective gear and COVID-19 testing.

HHS Waives Penalties For Business Associates That Share Health Data
HHS on Tuesday (April 7) further loosened its enforcement of the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act in a notice stating that the department will not impose penalties on business associates of covered entities that share protected health information for public health activities during the pandemic.

Verma: Providers Will See $30 Billion In CARES Act Grants Soon
CMS Administrator Seema Verma on Tuesday (April 7) said providers will see $30 billion from the CARES Act distributed this week, and the money will be divvied up based on providers' Medicare revenue.

CMS Says It Can't Change 10.25% Interest On Accelerated Medicare Pay
Hospitals are asking CMS to waive or lower the interest on advanced payments that providers request under the Medicare accelerated pay program, but the agency says it doesn't have the authority to waive or change the interest rate on Medicare debts -- including those repayments. CMS also says hospitals will have a year before the 10.25% interest rate kicks in.