Ensuring Our Safety and Security through a 90-Day Suspension of the Direct Access Program for U.S.-Affiliated Iraqis

Ensuring Our Safety and Security through a 90-Day Suspension of the Direct Access Program for U.S.-Affiliated Iraqis | site |


(Information contained in U.S. Department of State press release dated: January 22, 2021)


January 22, 2021
Press statement
Daniel B. Smith, Acting Secretary of State

Ensuring Our Safety and Security through a 90-Day Suspension of the Direct Access Program for U.S.-Affiliated Iraqis

Effective January 22, 2021, the United States is suspending the Direct Access Program for U.S.-Affiliated Iraqis for 90 days. As the result of a joint investigation by the U.S. Department of State’s Diplomatic Security Service and the Department of Homeland Security’s Office of the Inspector General, the Department of Justice is prosecuting individuals for stealing U.S. government records from the Department of State’s Worldwide Refugee Admissions Processing System to take advantage...

U.S. Department of the Treasury FACT SHEET - - - Treasury to Work to Ensure Families Get Access to Economic Impact Payments | site |


(Information contained in U.S. Department of the Treasury press release dated: January 22, 2021) In response to President Biden’s COVID-19 Economic Relief Executive Order launching an all-of-government effort to provide economic relief, the U.S. Department of the Treasury will work to stand up an effort to help households who have not yet been able to access their stimulus payments get much-needed relief. As many as 8 million households may be eligible for but have not yet received payments from the CARES Act signed in March; many of these households could be legally entitled to as much as $1,200 per adult. As the Treasury Department works to secure a full $2,000 in direct payments for adults as part of the American Rescue Plan, it will take steps designed to reach as many of these missed households as possible – providi...

U.S. Department of the Interior Seeks to Increase Broadband Access, Reduce Wildfire Hazards Across Rural Communities | site |



(Information contained in U.S. Department of the Interior press release dated: January 11, 2021)

Grand Junction, Colo -- Today, the Department of the Interior announced three new actions by the Bureau of Land Management, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the National Park Service to aggressively increase broadband internet access in rural communities and reduce wildfire risks. Deputy Secretary Katharine MacGregor made the announcement at the Bureau of Land Management headquarters in Grand Junction, Colorado. “High-speed internet connectivity is essential for education, economic opportunity, health and public safety – especially as we continue to respond to the challenges of COVID-19,” said Deputy Secretary MacGregor. “Facilitating greater broadband access and reducing wildfire risks for the benefit of ...

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs expands Access to Telehealth Services during COVID-19 Pandemic for Older, Rural and Homeless Veterans | site |


(Information contained in U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs press release dated: January 6, 2021)

Washington - - The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) announced today its Digital Divide Consult has helped more than 12,000 Veterans obtain internet access or a video-capable device for their health care needs.

As part of the program, VA providers refer Veterans to a VA social worker, who determines eligibility for various programs to assist with getting the internet service or technology needed for VA telehealth — ensuring older Veterans, those living in rural areas and Veterans who are homeless or in temporary housing have the opportunity to participate.

According to the Journal of the American Medical Informatics Association, Veterans with lower incomes, more severe...

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs Launches Single Access Point to all VA Contact Centers | site |


(Information contained in U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs press release: December 16, 2020)

Washington - - The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) announced today, the formal launch of 1-800-MyVA411 (1-800-698-2411), a single access point to all VA contact centers.

The number is available 24 hours-a-day, 365 days-a-year to serve Veterans, their families, caregivers and survivors.

Responding to Veteran feedback on the challenges of knowing the right number for VA assistance, 1-800-MyVA411, serves all members of the Veteran community seeking information or help. Veterans and their families can still reach the Veterans Crisis Line directly at 1-800-273-8255 and pressing 1, by Chat or by texting 838255. The White House VA Hotline is also still available at 1-855-948-2311 for Veterans and their families to share compliments...

HHS says Office for Civil Rights Facilitates Safe Clergy Access for Patients at Mt. Sinai Hospital During COVID-19 | site |



(Information contained in U.S. Department of Health and Human Services press release: December 16, 2020) Today, the Office for Civil Rights (OCR) at the U.S Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) announces the resolution of a religious discrimination complaint, thus ensuring clergy access to patients for religious purposes during the COVID-19 pandemic for the entire Mt. Sinai Health System in New York (Mt. Sinai). On August 5, 2020, a Jewish community advocacy organization filed a complaint with OCR alleging that several hospitals in various hospital systems in New York, including Mt. Sinai in Manhattan, were denying Jewish patients access to clergy in both COVID and non-COVID units. In one instance at Mt. Sinai, the complaint alleged that a Jewish patient was unable to obtain access to Kosher food; after asking for his ra...

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Amends PREP Act Declaration, Including to Expand Access to COVID-19 Countermeasures Via Telehealth | site |



(Information contained in U.S. Department of Health and Human Services press release: December 3, 2020)

Today, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) issued a fourth amendment to the Declaration under the Public Readiness and Emergency Preparedness Act (PREP Act) to increase access to criticial countermeasures against COVID-19. “During the pandemic, the Trump Administration has made broader use of the PREP Act to expand access to potentially life-saving countermeasures than we’ve ever done before in a public health emergency,” said HHS Secretary Alex Azar. “This new use of the PREP Act will help expand access to important services via telehealth, increase availability of authorized PPE, and make it easier to administer eventual COVID-19 vaccines.” Among other things, ...

Federal Trade Commission Alleges Mobile Banking App Misled Users About Access to Their Funds, Failed to Deliver on Promised High Interest Rates | site |


(November (18, 2020) - - On November 18, 2020 the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) published the following information:

The Federal Trade Commission sued the operators of a mobile banking app, alleging that they falsely promised users high interest rates on their accounts and “24/7” access to their funds.

In a complaint filed in federal court, the FTC alleges that Beam Financial Inc. and its founder and CEO Yinan Du, also known as Aaron Du, promised users of their free mobile banking app that they could make transfers out of their accounts and would receive their requested funds within three to five business days. Instead, some users waited weeks or even months to receive their money despite repeated complaints to Beam, while others said they never received their money, according to the...

Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services Takes Steps to Ensure Medicare Beneficiaries Have Wide Access to COVID-19 Antibody Treatment | site |


(November 10 - 13, 2020) - - In a release dated November 10, 2020 and updated November 13, 2020, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) published the following information: The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services announced that starting today, Medicare beneficiaries can receive coverage of monoclonal antibodies to treat coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) with no cost-sharing during the public health emergency (PHE). CMS’ coverage of monoclonal antibody infusions applies to bamlanivimab, which received an emergency use authorization (EUA) from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration yesterday. “Today, CMS is announcing a historic, first-of-its kind policy that drastically expands access to COVID-19 monoclonal antibodies to beneficiaries without cost sharing,” said CMS Administrator Seema Verma. “Our tim...

Trump Administration Partners with Chain and Independent Community Pharmacies to Increase Access to Future COVID-19 Vaccines| site |


(November 12, 2020) - - Today the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services published the following information: To maximize access to COVID-19 vaccines for all Americans, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) today announced the U.S. government’s partnerships with large chain pharmacies and networks that represent independent pharmacies and regional chains. Through the partnership with pharmacy chains, this program covers approximately 60 percent of pharmacies throughout the 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Through the partnerships with network administrators, independent pharmacies and regional chains will also be part of the federal pharmacy program, further increasing access to vaccine across the country—particularly in traditionally underserved areas. “Ensuring a...

Office for Civil Rights Settles Tenth Investigation in HIPAA Right of Access Initiative | site |


(November 6, 2020) - - On November 6, 2020 the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services published the following information: The Office for Civil Rights (OCR) at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) announces that it has settled its tenth enforcement action in its HIPAA Right of Access Initiative. OCR announced this initiative as an enforcement priority in 2019 to support individuals' right to timely access to their health records at a reasonable cost under the HIPAA Privacy Rule. Riverside Psychiatric Medical Group (“RPMG”) has agreed to take corrective actions and pay $25,000 to settle a potential violation of the HIPAA Privacy Rule's right of access standard. RPMG, based in Riverside, California, is a group practice specializing in child and adolescent psychiatry, geriatric psychiatry, neuropsychiatry, psychology, and substance use disor...

Walmart reopens five VA Telehealth Access Points after COVID-19 shutdown | site |



Partnership initiative provides timely telehealth care to Veterans in rural areas


(November 2, 2020) - - On November 2, 2020, the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) published the following information:

WASHINGTON — The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs announced today five Accessing Telehealth through Local Area Stations (ATLAS) sites in select Walmart stores have resumed clinical services to Veterans in rural areas. VA suspended the operation of clinical services at all ATLAS sites, April 10, to prevent the spread of COVID-19 and implement additional safety and infection control measures. The reopened ATLAS sites give Veterans more options — allowing them to receive care without leaving their communities while offering the full privacy of a doctor’s office. “The ATLAS initiative provides timely and convenient care to Veterans liv...

Trump Administration Announces Changes to Medicare Advantage and Part D to Provide Better Coverage and Increase Access for Medicare Beneficiaries| site |



May 22, 2020) - - Today (May 22, 2020), the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) published the following information: The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services today finalized requirements that will increase access to telehealth for seniors in Medicare Advantage (MA) plans, expand the types of supplemental benefits available for beneficiaries with an MA plan who have chronic diseases, provide support for more MA options for beneficiaries in rural communities, and expand access to MA for patients with End Stage Renal Disease (ESRD). Together, the changes advance President Trump’s Executive Orders on Protecting and Improving Medicare for Our Nation’s Seniors and Advancing American Kidney Health as well as several of the CMS strategic initiatives. Due to the upcoming June 1, 2020, MA and Part D ...

Trump Administration Announces Changes to Medicare Advantage and Part D to Provide Better Coverage and Increase Access for Medicare Beneficiaries | site | May 22, 2020) - - Today (May 22, 2020), the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) published the following information: The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services today finalized requirements that will increase access to telehealth for seniors in Medicare Advantage (MA) plans, expand the types of supplemental benefits available for beneficiaries with an MA plan who have chronic diseases, provide support for more MA options for beneficiaries in rural communities, and expand access to MA for patients with End Stage Renal Disease (ESRD). Together, the changes advance President Trump’s Executive Orders on Protecting and Improving Medicare for Our Nation’s Seniors and Advancing American Kidney Health as well as several of the CMS strategic initiatives. Due to the upcoming June 1, 2020, MA and Part D bid deadlines for t...

Coronavirus COVID-19 Update - - - FDA provides Update on Patient Access to certain REMS Drugs during COVID-19 Public Health Emergency | site |




(March 22, 2020) - - The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) published today (March 22, 2020) the following information:

Today, as part of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s ongoing efforts to address the coronavirus pandemic (COVID-19), the agency issued a new guidance to sponsors and healthcare providers regarding certain Risk Evaluation and Mitigation Strategy (REMS)-required testing during this time.

“The FDA recognizes that during the COVID-19 public health emergency, the completion of some REMS-required laboratory testing or imaging studies may be difficult because patients suspected of having COVID-19 may be self-isolating and/or subject to quarantine,” said FDA Principal Deputy Commissioner Amy Abernethy, M.D., Ph.D. “Under these circumstances, undergoing...