Moderna is the second vaccine maker to seek full approval from U.S. regulators, which would allow it to market the shot directly to consumers. Full approval also makes it easier for schools, employers and the military to require inoculation against COVID-19. More than 100 million of the shots have already been administered, according to data compiled by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Read more.

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) revised the Medicare Learning Network Medicare Diabetes Prevention & Diabetes Self-Management Training (PDF) booklet to extend COVID-19 flexibilities to all patients getting services as of March 31, 2020, and update information for the Association of Diabetes Care and Education Specialists.

There is a growing number of reports that patients are being refused COVID-19 services because they cannot provide a government-issued ID or cannot pay. The Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) has developed two fact sheets to help both patients and providers better understand that:

• Everyone is eligible for COVID-19 services, no matter their immigration status.
• Testing, treatment or vaccinations paid for by the federal government will not affect anyone’s immigration status nor be shared with immigration agencies.
• A Social Security Number or government ID may be requested but is NOT required.
• A person may not be billed for COVID-19 services if they are uninsured.
• The Fact Sheets and additional information can be found here in both English and Spanish.

The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) recently issued guidance, Employer Incentives For COVID-19 Voluntary Vaccinations Under ADA and GINA – Technical Assistance Questions and Answers K.16 – K.21. It indicates that under equal employment opportunity laws, employers may offer limited incentives to employees to be vaccinated. The agency cautioned that a “very large incentive” could make employees feel pressured to disclose protected medical information and the incentives may not be deemed coercive. It also noted that other federal, state and local laws may come into play.

The American Rescue Plan Act, the latest effort out of Washington to lift the economy out of the COVID-19 doldrums, boosted subsidies, making it cheaper for more people to buy plans on Affordable Care Act insurance marketplaces. Read more.

Pennsylvania Department of Health Acting Secretary Alison Beam announced that the commonwealth’s mask order will be lifted by June 28. “After reviewing the vaccination data for people 18 and over and discussing it with the COVID-19 Vaccine Legislative Task Force, we have determined that the commonwealth’s mask order can be lifted on June 28 or when 70 percent of adults get their second dose, whichever comes first,” Acting Secretary Beam said. “Pennsylvanians are realizing that they have the power to stop COVID-19 and they are stepping up to get vaccinated.” To date, 52.7 percent of the 18 and older population are fully vaccinated. According to the CDC, 97.7 percent of Pennsylvanians over 65 have received at least one dose of vaccine. Click here for more information on the commonwealth’s vaccination efforts and data dashboard. 

To reinforce the association’s dedication to health equity, the National Rural Health Association (NRHA) has recently joined several national coalitions aimed at communicating vaccine safety and efficacy. HHS’ COVID-19 Community Corps aims to establish a network of trusted voices to promote vaccines. The Made to Save Coalition is a public education and grassroots effort to increase vaccine access in communities of color. And the COVID-19 Vaccine Education and Equity Project includes resources to reach a variety of populations. Bookmark NRHA’s COVID resources page to find rural-relevant resources all in one place.