Vermont Ups Hazard Pay Fund For Essential Workers By $8 Million

Burlington Free Press: Vermont Added Millions To The Hazard Pay Fund For Frontline Workers
Vermont's COVID hazard pay pot just got larger — by $8 million. Employers of essential workers who qualify have until Friday, Nov. 13, to apply for state payments of between $1,200 to $2,000 for each worker. Employers must apply on behalf of their employees and former employees. Eligible former employees should expect to receive applications by email or mail over the next week that need to be completed and returned. (Barton, 11/10)

In other news from the states —

Anchorage Daily News: Most Of Alaska’s Women Veterans Don’t Use VA Services. A New Project Aims To Fix That. 
Alaska has one of the highest numbers of women veterans per capita in the country, but fewer than a third access services from Veterans Affairs. Many women in the state don’t realize they’re eligible for VA services, said Vanessa Meade, who helped spearhead a new project, Operation Mary Louise, that will connect women veterans with one another and provide resources. (Williams, 11/10)

NPR: Meat Manufacturer Sues New Mexico After Plant Ordered To Close Due To COVID-19 
A meat manufacturer is suing New Mexico, saying the state violated an executive order from President Trump by ordering a plant to temporarily close. Health officials ordered Stampede Meat to close its Sunland Park, N.M., plant last week after six employees tested positive for the coronavirus in a five-day period in late October. A state directive calls for businesses to be shut down for 14 days if four or more employees test positive within a 14-day period. (Oxner, 11/11)

AP: Governor-Elect Gianforte Names COVID-19 Task Force
A week after winning the race to become Montana’s next governor, Republican Greg Gianforte unveiled a 21-member coronavirus task force that will help him manage the COVID-19 crisis. The team includes healthcare experts, business owners, school administrators, law enforcement and local and tribal leaders. (11/10)

In news on nursing homes and long-term care facilities —

Des Moines Register: More Than 100 Long-Term Care Facilities Have COVID-19 Outbreaks As Iowa's Coronavirus Cases Surge
More than 100 long-term care facilities in Iowa have COVID-19 outbreaks as the coronavirus rages across the state. On Tuesday, the state was reporting 102 COVID-19 outbreaks at long-term care facilities. A long-term care facility is considered to have an outbreak if three or more residents or staff members have tested positive. (11/10)

Crain's Detroit Business: Nursing Homes Ask For Additional Liability Protection To Open COVID-19 Only Units
Nursing homes in Michigan are pursuing legislation or an executive order from Gov. Gretchen Whitmer that would give them additional liability protection when treating COVID-19 patients, especially those homes that operate or plan to open special coronavirus units. Whitmer has signed several executive orders and bills that have granted businesses some general liability protection, but nursing home operators say more is needed. House Bill 6159, the Pandemic Health Care Immunity Act, addressed the initial wave of the virus from March through July 15 and excluded gross negligence or criminal conduct. (Greene, 11/10)

Kaiser Health News: Nursing Homes Still See Dangerously Long Waits For Covid-19 Test Results 
Nursing homes are still taking days to get back Covid-19 test results as many shun the Trump administration's central strategy to limit the spread of the virus among old and sick Americans. (Pradhan, Rau and Webber, 11/11)