COVID-19

CMS Office of Minority Health is recognizing National Immunization Awareness month by providing immunization and vaccine resources on their website. The site houses shareable information about available, low cost vaccines, Medicare coverage for vaccines, COVID-19 resources, and more.

To celebrate Older Americans Month, ACL has published their 2020 Profile of Older Americans report. This report highlights the demographics and experiences of older adults throughout the last year of the COVID-19 pandemic. The report captures trends in workforce participation, diversity, mental health and economic disparities across the community.

The American Association on Health and Disability released their findings from the AAHD Vaccine Hesitancy Survey Among Adults with Disabilities, an online study of the perspectives of adults with disabilities on the COVID-19 vaccine. Their Vaccine Hesitancy Among Adults with Disabilities Research report explores general vaccine hesitancy, distrust and barriers to vaccine access among adults with disabilities.

The National Consumer Voice for Quality Long-Term Care published a summary on CMS' latest guidance on nursing home visitiation, issued on March 10, 2021. The summary highlights key points and changes from the September issue regarding indoor vistation as well as lists potential concerns.

The Social Security Advisory Board has released its annual report summarizing their work during fiscal year 2020 and detailing information regarding its accomplishments, including Board publications and commissioned work.

The Bureau of Labor Statistics released a data report on the employment rates of persons with disability. In 2020, 17.9 percent of persons with a disability were employed, down from 19.3 percent in 2019. For persons without a disability, 61.8 percent were employed in 2020, down from 66.3 percent in the prior year. The unemployment rates for persons with and without a disability both increased from 2019 to 2020, to 12.6 percent and 7.9 percent, respectively. Read the report for more findings.

On behalf of The SCAN Foundation, Manatt Health identifies federal and state Medicaid flexibilities available to state officials and other stakeholders and how those flexibilities are being deployed during COVID-19 to help ensure access to LTSS. The resource guide also highlights state policy goals in implementing regulatory flexibilities available during COVID-19.

CIDI created a COVID-19 resource page designed to increase access to information about Coronavirus symptoms, testing and treatment. Accessible resources include braille documents available to order and digital documents designed for users accessing the page with screen readers or other assistive technology. There are ASL resources coming soon to the webpage. This project was made possible with funding from the CDC Foundation.

The NIDILRR-funded Rehabilitation Research and Training Center on Promoting Healthy Aging for People with Long-Term Physical Disabilities recently published a health policy brief on state responses to the social isolation and loneliness faced by adults with disabilities during the COVID-19 pandemic.

In this blog post, ACAP and CHCS share survey results that detail how Community Affiliated Plans (ACAP), including Dual Eligible Special Needs Plan (D-SNP) and Medicare-Medicaid Plans, are addressing existing and new health-related social needs of their dually eligible enrollees during the COVID-19.