Morning Briefing
Summaries of health policy coverage from major news organizations
Missouri, Arizona Are Latest To Join The 'Pandemic Is Done' Club
AP: Missouri Governor Declares `The COVID-19 Crisis Is Over'
Missouri Gov. Mike Parson on Wednesday declared “the COVID-19 crisis is over,” announcing that the state will soon begin handling the coronavirus like influenza and other ongoing diseases that occasionally flare up. Parson said the state will officially start treating the coronavirus as an endemic on Friday. One result is that the public will receive less frequent updates about the number of deaths, hospitalizations and cases attributed to COVID-19.“The COVID-19 crisis is over in the state of Missouri, and we are moving on,” the Republican governor said at a Capitol news conference, a little over two years since the World Health Organization declared the COVID-19 outbreak a pandemic on March 11, 2020. (Lieb, 3/30)
AP: Arizona Governor Ends 2-Year-Old Virus State Of Emergency
Arizona Gov. Doug Ducey on Wednesday ended the state of emergency he declared at the start of the coronavirus pandemic more than two years ago. The formal end of the statewide emergency came as COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations dip to levels not seen since summer 2020. But deaths are falling at a slower pace. (Christie, 3/30)
In related news —
AP: End Of COVID May Bring Major Turbulence For US Health Care
When the end of the COVID-19 pandemic comes, it could create major disruptions for a cumbersome U.S. health care system made more generous, flexible and up-to-date technologically through a raft of temporary emergency measures. Winding down those policies could begin as early as the summer. That could force an estimated 15 million Medicaid recipients to find new sources of coverage, require congressional action to preserve broad telehealth access for Medicare enrollees, and scramble special COVID-19 rules and payment policies for hospitals, doctors and insurers. There are also questions about how emergency use approvals for COVID-19 treatments will be handled. (Alonso-Zaldivar, 3/31)
And more on covid mandates —
AP: Kansas Won't Enforce Vaccine Rule For Nursing Home Workers
Democratic Gov. Laura Kelly’s says Kansas won’t enforce a federal mandate that nursing home workers get vaccinated against COVID-19, acknowledging Wednesday that it conflicts with an anti-mandate state law she signed four months ago. Nursing home workers must still get vaccines, but the federal government will charge Kansas nearly $349,000 a year to have federal teams survey nursing homes for compliance. (Hanna, 3/31)
AP: Los Angeles Ends Its Business Vaccine Verification Mandate
The Los Angeles City Council voted Wednesday to end its mandate for many indoor businesses and operators of large outdoor events to verify that customers have been vaccinated against COVID-19, joining a wave of big U.S. cities that have relaxed the restriction. The measure by council President Nury Martinez received enough votes to pass as an urgent measure so it can take effect quickly after it receives the mayor’s signature and is published by the city clerk. (Antczak, 3/30)
St. Louis Public Radio: How Disabled Students Can Be Protected Without Mask Mandates
There are few things Lela Post loves more than being pushed on the large, round tree swing in her family’s backyard. "I believe I can fly!" the 6-year-old screams as her father releases the swing, soaring Lela and her sister Bianca, 4, through the cool air. Their mother watches nearby as a fire crackles in the background. It's blissful here. But away from their home, Lela’s parents, Jacob Post and Stephanie Biondi, have worked hard to keep her safe since she was diagnosed in early 2021 with leukemia, the most common cancer in children and teens. (Munoz, 3/30)
The Wall Street Journal: Boston Will Limit Protesting Near Officials’ Homes After Picketing Over Covid Rules
The Boston City Council voted to limit picketing at private residences after officials faced protests at homes over pandemic-related rules. The council, whose members are all Democrats, voted 9 to 4 in favor of an ordinance banning targeted residential picketing from 9 p.m. to 9 a.m. It was filed by Mayor Michelle Wu, who has had loud early-morning protesters outside her duplex since early January, when she announced a vaccine mandate for city employees. (Levitz, 3/30)
