Insights^

Ashish Jha to Replace Jeff Zients as White House COVID-19 Task Force Chair

On Thursday, President Joe Biden announced that White House Coronavirus Response Coordinator Jeff Zients will step down from his post next month.  President Biden also announced that Zients’ replacement will be Ashish Jha, dean of the Brown University School of Public Health and a practicing physician.  Jha has served as an outside advisor for administration officials over the past several months, particularly on the development of the new COVID-19 roadmap that was released earlier this month.  Zients’ departure comes at a time when case numbers have plummeted since the start of the Omicron wave and the administration forges ahead on a new strategy that focuses on living with the virus.

Pfizer, Moderna Seek EUA for Second COVID-19 Booster Shot

This week, both Pfizer and Moderna submitted applications to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for an emergency use authorization (EUA) for a second booster dose of their respective COVID-19 vaccines.  While Pfizer is specifically seeking an EUA for adults over age 65, Moderna is requesting an EUA for anyone over 18 years of age.  However, Pfizer noted in press release that it’s currently conducting a clinical trial in Israel for health care workers aged 18 years or older who have already received three doses of the company’s COVID-19 vaccine.  The submission of both applications comes days after Pfizer CEO Albert Bourla said a fourth vaccine dose will probably be needed for everyone.

White House Urged Congress to Provide Additional COVID-19 Relief Funding

The Biden administration is pushing for Congress to pass legislation to provide more funding for COVID-19 after lawmakers nixed $15.6 billion in COVID-19 funding from the Fiscal Year (FY) 2022 omnibus appropriations bill due to disagreements over how the additional funds would be paid for.   Without additional funding, the administration warns that it will soon have to wind down federal subsidies that guarantee free COVID-19 treatments for patients like oral antivirals and monoclonal antibodies.  Additionally, administration officials are fearful that a lack of additional funding would mean the government may not be able to supply enough booster doses and antivirals in the event of another surge in cases.  The stalemate over COVID-19 funding comes as public health officials worry that an uptick in COVID-19 cases in Europe could indicate cases number may soon begin to rise again in the US.

Nashville, Milwaukee Are Finalists to Host the 2024 GOP Convention

The Republican National Committee (RNC) has narrowed down its list of possible locations for its 2024 convention to two cities: Milwaukee and Nashville.  Pittsburgh and Salt Lake City were initially in the running, although the latter was dropped because its main arena will be undergoing renovations in 2024.  If selected, Milwaukee would be the first city to host back-to-back conventions since New York City hosted the Democrats’ conventions in 1976 and 1980.  The Democratic National Committee held its virtual national convention in Milwaukee for 2020.  A final decision regarding the location of the Republicans’ 2024 convention is expected by August.

ICYMI: Smithsonian Vetting Locations for Two New Museums The Smithsonian is currently considering 24 potential sites for two new museums that Congress approved in its FY 2021 omnibus appropriations bill: the National Museum of the American Latino and the Smithsonian American Women’s History Museum.  While the spending bill lists fours potential sites near that National Mall that could be used for either museum, the final decision on where to break ground will be up to the Smithsonian Board of Regents.   Consultants are working with the Smithsonian to find potential sites; however, a lack of available, empty land near the National Mall means other potential locations are in play, like the Corcoran Gallery of Art building, the J. Edgar Hoover Building, and L’Enfant Plaza.

Future of ARPA-H In Doubt

The Biden administration’s plans to set up a new biomedical research agency called the Advanced Research Projects Agency for Health (ARPA-H) have become more uncertain since Eric Lander, the president’s chief science advisor, stepped down two weeks ago.  Former National Institutes of Health (NIH) Director Francis Collins has temporarily stepped in to serve as science advisor, and he favors keeping the new agency within NIH – a departure from many Democratic lawmakers who prefer that ARPA-H remain a separate agency within the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS).  Republicans in Congress who are critical of the NIH’s handling of the pandemic might be reluctant to provide funding for a new organization within NIH, even if it’s to support new research.  More so, the two top Republican Senators who support biomedical research, Sens. Richard Burr (R-NC) and Roy Blunt (R-MO), are retiring soon, which could further delay creating ARPA-H as the administration may run into trouble finding supporters in a possible GOP-controlled Senate next year.

CDC Endorses 8-Week Vaccine Interval

On Tuesday, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) updated its COVID-19 mRNA vaccine guidance to expand the recommended time between the two initial vaccine doses from 3-4 weeks to eight weeks.  The new timeline apples to people over the age of 12, although the CDC still recommends that people who are immunocompromised or over the age of 65 adhere to the usual 3–4-week dosing intervals.  According to the CDC, increasing the interval between the first two vaccine doses may reduce the risk of severe side effects like inflammation of the heart wall.  The CDC’s recommendation of waiting at least five months to receive a third “booster” dose remains unchanged.

HHS Distributes $560M from Provider Relief Fund

HHS announced on Thursday that it will distribute $560 million from the Provider Relief Fund to over 4,100 providers, leaving $5.5 billion remaining in the fund.  According to HHS, the current phase of distribution has focused on equity, including higher reimbursements for smaller providers and bonus payments for providers who serve Medicare and Medicaid beneficiaries.  HHS additionally commented that providers can use the funds to address workforce shortages and staff burnouts.  The latest release of funding comes as health care providers call on Congress to replenish the fund with at least $20 billion.

CMS Pulls the Plug on ACO Option for Rural Providers in CHART Model

On Tuesday, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) announced that it has removed the Accountable Care Organization (ACO) Transformation Track from the Community Health and Rural Transformation (CHART) Model, which provided an alternative payment model for rural providers to participate in.  According to the webpage for the CHART Model, CMS decided to remove the ACO track as part of a “broader effort” to develop a strategy to increase ACO adoption in rural areas. While CMS did not offer additional details on its decision to eliminate the track, the agency is currently looking to remove any duplicative payment models to ease the burden on providers.  The CHART model was created in 2020 to help Medicare beneficiaries living in rural communities get access to health care services.

ICYMI: There’s Now an App for Networking on the Hill

Congressional staffers haven’t had a lot of opportunities to network in person over the last two years.  Therefore, to create more opportunities for staffers to connect in-person, a digital director for a Republican congressman recently launched CNCT, a social and professional networking app.  Limited to individuals with a senate.gov or house.gov email address, CNCT will connect staffers through coffee meetup and events and allow for groups to message one another.   The app is scheduled to launch on March 18.

Biden Reboots Cancer Moonshot with Ambitious New Goal

President Joe Biden announced on Wednesday that his administration is relaunching the Cancer Moonshot with the ambitious goal of halving the nation’s death rate from cancer over the next 25 years.  To accomplish this, the White House is forming a “Cancer Cabinet” consisting of representatives from several cabinet-level agencies and urging more Americans to get screened for cancer.  Biden also called on Congress to pass proposals that create and fund the Advanced Research Projects Agency for Health (ARPA-H), which would drive innovation in biomedical research.  President Biden initially helmed the Cancer Moonshot when former President Barack Obama first formed the initiative back in 2016.

Pfizer Asks FDA to Authorize Vaccine for Kids under 5

On February 1, Pfizer formally requested that the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issue an emergency use authorization (EUA) for its COVID-19 vaccine for children ages 6 months to 5 years old.   In an unprecedented move, the FDA urged Pfizer to request an EUA for its vaccine in order to address rising COVID-19 hospitalizations and deaths among children under 5.  Pfizer is currently testing a third COVID-19 dose in its clinical trials after data showed a two-dose regimen did not produce sufficient antibody protection in children ages 2 to 5, although it did in children ages 6 months to age 2.  By issuing an EUA for Pfizer’s COVID-19 vaccine before data on a third dose is available, the FDA hopes it can give parents a head start on vaccinating young children before a third dose can be approved.  If all goes well, children under 5 could start getting vaccinated by the end of the month.

CMS Emphasized Health Equity in 2023 MA, Part D Advance Notice

On Wednesday, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) issued its proposed Advance Notice for Medicare Advantage (MA) and Part D drug programs in 2023.  To promote equity, the notice includes a proposal for a new quality measure for its star ratings that assesses how often health plans screen for social determinants of health like transportation and food security.  Additionally, the notice seeks input on how MA payment impacts care provided to underserved populations in rural or urban areas.  Comments are due on March 4, and the final Advance Notice will be released no later than April 4.

CR Becomes More Likely as Government Funding Deadline Looms

Congress  failed to reach an agreement this week on a Fiscal Year (FY) 2022 omnibus appropriations agreement, increasing the likelihood that lawmakers will resort to a continuing resolution to keep federal agencies open beyond the February 18  funding deadline.  While lawmakers started the week with a sense of optimism that they could find a consensus on topline funding levels, policy riders over controversial issues like the Hyde Amendment and disagreements over parity between defense and non-defense spending increases kept both parties from reaching a deal.  Fortunately, however, the odds of a government shutdown later this month remain slim.

ICYMI: “Racing President” Is the Hottest Job Vacancy in Washington

The Washington Nationals, DC’s Major League Baseball team, posted a job announcement this week that’s calling on eager fans to be one of its Racing Presidents.  The team currently has six presidential mascots – George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Abraham Lincoln, Teddy Roosevelt, William Howard Taft and Calvin Coolidge – who race against one another halfway through the fourth inning.  To be considered, applicants must be between 5 foot 7 inches and 6 foot 6 inches tall and able to run about 200 years in a 50-pound costume.  The ideal candidate is also expected to “uphold team values” and hold a GED or high school diploma.