Morning Briefing
Summaries of health policy coverage from major news organizations
Here's What's In The COVID Stimulus Bill
The New York Times: The Stimulus Deal: What’s In It For You
Individual adults making up to $75,000 a year would receive a $600 payment, and a couple earning up to $150,000 a year would get twice that amount. If they have dependent children, they would also get $600 for each child. The first payments early this year began arriving via direct deposit about two weeks after legislation passed. It took some people months, however, to receive the money. (Bernard and Lieber, 12/20)
CNN: When Will You Get A Second Stimulus Check?
Lawmakers are expected to vote Monday on the deal, which would provide for $600 checks, but experts say it will take at least two weeks for the Treasury to get cash into individuals' bank accounts after legislation is signed. "The timing could be more challenging this time, but the IRS could likely begin to get the money out in January," said Howard Gleckman, a senior fellow at the Urban-Brookings Tax Policy Center. (Lobosco, 12/20)
The Washington Post: What’s Inside The $900 Billion Stimulus Package
Congress will extend unemployment benefits of up to $300 per week. The benefit could kick in as early as Dec. 27 and run at least through March 14. An unemployment benefits program for contract and gig workers, which is set to expire at the end of the year, would be extended, too. (Siegel, Stein and DeBonis, 12/20)
CNN: Here's What's In The Second Stimulus Package
The bill would extend until January 31 the eviction protection set to expire at the end of the year. It also would provide $25 billion in rental assistance for individuals who lost their source of income during the pandemic. (Lobosco and Luhby, 12/20)
AP: Highlights Of $900 Billion COVID-19 Relief, Wrapup Bills
[The bill] increases food stamp benefits by 15% and provides funding to food banks, Meals on Wheels and other food aid. [It also] provides $10 billion to the Child Care Development Block Grant to help families with child care costs and help providers cover increased operating costs. (12/21)
Also —
The Hill: Surprise Medical Bill Prevention Included In Year-End Legislative Package
Bipartisan legislation to protect patients from getting massive “surprise” medical bills is included in a year-end package deal reached Sunday, clearing the way for the measure to pass Congress after almost two years of negotiations. The legislation will protect patients from getting medical bills for thousands of dollars in common situations like going to the emergency room and getting care from a doctor who happened to not be covered by the patient’s insurance plan. (Sullivan, 12/20)
Modern Healthcare: Congress To Ban Surprise Bills, Include Provider Grant Fix In Year-End Deal
The agreement breaks paralysis that has gripped Washington for years on the issue of banning balance billing, or when consumers receive large bills for out-of-network care provided in emergency situations or at an in-network facility. A broad bipartisan coalition of lawmakers that had squabbled over details involving how insurers and providers should work out payment ultimately united on Dec. 11 for a final push to get a fix across the finish line. The legislation attempts to protect patients from surprise medical bills in emergencies and non-emergency situations where patients can't choose an in-network provider, according to a draft outline of the bill. Patients would only be required to pay their in-network cost-sharing amount. (Cohrs, 12/20)
