A theme of unity emerged from President Joe Biden’s State of the Union deal with March 1 as he mentioned the Russia-Ukraine battle, the financial system and strides made in opposition to the COVID-19 pandemic.
(*7*) President Biden mentioned. The every day common for brand new instances the day of the deal with was 58,986, down from the peak in January when new instances topped 800,000, knowledge from The New York Times exhibits.
“Thanks to the progress we have made in the past year, COVID-19 no longer need control our lives,” the president mentioned, referring to entry to vaccinations and checks and the improvement of antiviral therapies.
Here are seven key healthcare takeaways from the speech with context:
1. “Test to treat” program: The authorities is launching a “test to treat” initiative “so people can get tested at a pharmacy, and if they prove positive, receive antiviral pills on the spot at no cost,” President Biden mentioned. He particularly referred to as out Pfizer’s COVID-19 antiviral tablet routine, Paxlovid, which was discovered to cut back the threat of dying or hospitalization by about 89 %. The therapy is meant for sufferers at excessive threat of creating extreme sickness and must be administered as quickly as attainable after prognosis and inside 5 days of creating signs.
The U.S. has bought 20 million programs of the therapy, with the first 10 million set to be delivered by the finish of June. “Pfizer is working overtime to get us 1 million pills this month and more than double that next month,” the president mentioned, including that the nation has ordered extra of the capsules “than anyone in the world.”
The program might launch this month, enabling eligible folks to obtain capsules by means of pharmacies at locations akin to CVS, Walgreens and Kroger, a White House official who spoke on the situation of anonymity instructed The New York Times, including the authorities may also distribute the capsules on to long-term care amenities.
2. The Justice Department will identify a chief prosecutor for pandemic fraud: “We’re going to go after the criminals who stole billions in relief money meant for small businesses and millions of Americans,” the president mentioned.
The prosecutor will “lead teams of specialized prosecutors and agents focusing on major targets of pandemic fraud, such as those committing large-scale identify theft,” in addition to “investigate major cases of criminal fraud in programs like the Paycheck Protection Program and Unemployment Insurance,” the White House mentioned in an accompanying reality sheet. It isn’t clear when the Justice Department will appoint somebody to the function.
3. Lowering prescription drug prices is a component of the president’s plan to combat inflation: “We pay more for the same drug produced by the same company in America than any other country in the world,” President Biden mentioned. “Just look at insulin. One in 10 Americans has diabetes.”
Although insulin prices pharmaceutical corporations about $10 per vial to make, “drug companies charge up to 30 times that amount,” he mentioned. “Let’s cap the cost of insulin at $35 a month so everyone can afford it.”
The president urged Congress to permit Medicare to barter the value of prescribed drugs.
4. More free checks: Starting subsequent week, Americans will be capable of order a second spherical of free fast at-home COVID-19 checks. “I’m announcing you can order another group of tests. Go to covidtests.gov starting next week and you can get more tests,” President Biden mentioned. The authorities launched covidtests.gov in January, the place there was initially a restrict of one order, which incorporates 4 particular person checks, per residential deal with.
In all, the Biden administration has mentioned it plans to distribute a complete of 1 billion at-home kits to Americans’ houses. Since mid-January, fewer than 300 million checks have been ordered, Kevin Munoz, White House assistant press secretary, instructed CNN.
5. He highlighted pediatric psychological well being: President Biden emphasised a dedication to psychological well being, “especially among our children, whose lives and education have been turned upside down.” He particularly referred to as for strengthening privateness protections, in addition to banning focused promoting to kids. “And let’s get all Americans the mental health services they need,” President Biden mentioned. “More people they can turn to for help, and full parity between physical and mental healthcare if we treat it that way in our insurance.” His remarks come as the American Medical Association has been asking congressional leaders to prioritize parity and do extra to make sure psychological well being care advantages to be lined at the similar stage as bodily healthcare advantages, as referred to as for in the Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act. President Biden mentioned his fiscal 12 months 2023 finances will suggest that each one insurers cowl sturdy behavioral well being providers with an enough supplier community, together with three behavioral well being visits yearly with out value sharing.
6. He talked about how you can help psychological well being of healthcare employees and plans to signal a clinician psychological well being invoice: In January, HHS introduced it could distribute $103 million to handle staffing wants, burnout and psychological well being amongst healthcare employees. President Biden mentioned he may also signal the bipartisan Dr. Lorna Breen Health Care Provider Protection Act into legislation. Congress handed the Dr. Lorna Breen laws, named for a doctor who died by suicide, in February to enhance the psychological well being and well-being of healthcare employees. Among different issues, the invoice requires HHS to award grants for coaching well being occupation college students, residents and healthcare professionals to cut back and forestall suicide, burnout, psychological well being circumstances and substance use issues, in line with the Dr. Lorna Breen Heroes’ Foundation. The grants are for hospitals, medical skilled associations and different healthcare entities.
7. He referred to as for increased requirements for nursing houses: President Biden unveiled a nursing house high quality enchancment plan Feb. 28. The plan, which CMS will perform, goals to extend nursing house staffing and oversight. President Biden mentioned: “Medicare is going to set higher standards for nursing homes and make sure your loved ones get the care they deserve and that they expect.” In a separate assertion, CMS cited the COVID-19 deaths of nursing house residents and workers throughout the pandemic and emphasised the company’s dedication to implement the high quality enchancment plan. “The time is now for a bold new approach and a strengthened commitment to deliver on our moral responsibility to care for our nation’s elders and people with disabilities,” the CMS assertion mentioned. “These actions will be carefully coordinated alongside CMS’ efforts to ensure people can access long-term care in an appropriate setting of their choice, including through home and community-based services.”