On Thursday, the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) issued guidance requiring individuals to wear face coverings statewide when in most settings outside of the home. Individuals must wear face coverings when inside of, or in line to enter, any indoor public space, obtaining services from a healthcare sector setting, waiting for or riding on…
Read More »On Monday, Governor Gavin Newsom issued Executive Order N-69-20 addressing a number of issues in response to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. The order extends waivers temporarily broadening the capabilities of counties to enroll persons into CalWORKs, allowing self-attestation of pregnancy and conditions of eligibility, and waiving in-person identification requirements. The order also extends permission for…
Read More »The Department of Finance (DOF) on Wednesday notified Senate and Assembly Budget and Appropriations Committee Chairs of its intent to augment funding to the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR) utilizing emergency COVID-19 funding appropriated by the Legislature in March. DOF indicated $16.9 million will be made available to CDCR to reimburse counties for…
Read More »This week, the Senate and Assembly convened separate hearings on COVID-19 outbreaks in skilled nursing facilities (SNFs) throughout the state. Below, we detail the two hearings: Assembly Health and Assembly Aging & Long-Term Care Committees Assess the State’s Response On Tuesday, the Assembly Health Committee and the Assembly Aging & Long-Term Care Committee convened a…
Read More »Today, the state issued guidance for expanded personal care services, including personal care that requires touching a client’s face (e.g. facials, electrolysis, and waxing). The guidance also applies to esthetician, skin care, and cosmetology services; electrology; nail salons; body art professionals; tattoo parlors and piercing shops; and massage therapy (in non-healthcare settings). The guidance applies…
Read More »On Monday, Governor Gavin Newsom’s Office announced that the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) certified California-based BYD North America’s production of N95 respirators for the state. Recall, the Newsom Administration in April entered into a $990 million contract with BYD North America to supply N95 respirators and other personal protective equipment (PPE)….
Read More »On Monday, the Department of Finance (DOF) notified the California Legislature of a $5 million augmentation to the California Department of Social Services (CDSS) for the Emergency Food Assistance Program, intended to support low-income and food-insecure populations during the COVID-19 pandemic. To augment the program, the Newsom Administration is using part of the $1 billion…
Read More »This week, the Department of Health Care Services (DHCS) announced upcoming stakeholder meetings for its potential new “Long-Term Care at Home” benefit in the Medi-Cal program for managed care and fee-for-service beneficiaries. The new model of care is intended to help address the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic by decompressing skilled nursing facilities (SNFs) and provide eligible…
Read More »This week, the Department of Health Care Services (DHCS) announced additional federal funding opportunities available from the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) to support Medicaid/CHIP providers and safety net hospitals amid the COVID-19 pandemic. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) indicated $15 billion from the Provider Relief Fund would be available…
Read More »This afternoon, the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) issued a series of guidance and informational materials related to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. The CDPH guidance issued today provides sectors with information on public health modifications that should be implemented prior to reopening only upon local public health official approval and review of local data…
Read More »