$1B in Funding for Head Start Programs, COVID-19 Travel Guidance, & More

[American Flag] An official email from the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services [HHS 360 Logo]( Latest U.S. Department of Health & Human Services News Releases [Readout of the Fifth COVID-19 Health Equity Task Force Meeting]( July 2, 2021 On Friday, June 25, COVID-19 Health Equity Chair Dr. Marcella Nunez-Smith, held the fifth COVID-19 Health Equity Task Force meeting to consider interim recommendations addressing the inequities and the impact of long-COVID or Post-Acute Sequelae of SARS-CoV-2 infection (PASC), and access to personal protective equipment (PPE), testing and therapeutics. [Read full news release]( [HHS Announces Rule to Protect Consumers from Surprise Medical Bills]( July 1, 2021 Today, the Biden-Harris Administration, through the U.S. Departments of Health and Human Services (HHS), Labor, and Treasury, and the Office of Personnel Management, issued "Requirements Related to Surprise Billing; Part I," an interim final rule that will restrict excessive out of pocket costs to consumers from surprise billing and balance billing. [Read full news release]( [Oklahoma's Medicaid Expansion will Provide Access to Coverage for 190,000 Oklahomans]( July 1, 2021 The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) announced today that approximately 190,000 individuals between the ages of 19-64 in Oklahoma are now eligible for health coverage, thanks to Medicaid expansion made possible by the Affordable Care Act (ACA). [Read full news release]( [COVID-19 Travel Guidance]( [Safety Meeter]( Are you planning travel this summer? Get the latest travel requirements and recommendations from CDC so you're prepared, and to keep yourself and your family safe. Learn more at [CDC.gov »]( [HHS, ACF Award $1 Billion in ARP Funds to Head Start Programs Nationwide]( June 30, 2021 Washington, D.C.—The U. S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) through the Office of Head Start (OHS) at the Administration for Children and Families (ACF) is awarding $1 billion in American Rescue Plan Act (ARP) funds to Head Start programs nationwide. [Read full news release]( [American Rescue Plan Lowers Health Insurance Costs for Americans Who May Have Lost Their Job]( June 29, 2021 As part of the American Rescue Plan (ARP) signed by President Biden, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) is again lowering the cost of health insurance and opening more pathways for Americans to obtain affordable and comprehensive health coverage. [Read full news release]( [HHS Announces Awardees of $250 Million to Fight COVID-19 and Improve Health Literacy Among Racial and Ethnic Minority and Vulnerable Communities]( June 28, 2021 Washington, D.C.—Today, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Office of Minority Health (OMH) announced $250 million in grant awards to 73 local governments as part of a new, two-year initiative to identify and implement best practices for improving health literacy to enhance COVID-19 vaccination and other mitigation practices among underserved populations. [Read full news release]( [See More News Releases]( [Affordable Care Act Decision]( [Vaccine Eligibility update]( In case you missed it, the Supreme Court has ruled to uphold the Affordable Care Act. A record 31 million people and counting have enrolled in health care through the law, gaining access to affordable, quality health coverage, regardless of pre-existing conditions. Visit [HealthCare.gov]( to find a plan that works for you and your family. [Learn more »]( U.S. Department of Health and Human Services 200 Independence Avenue, S.W. Washington, DC 20201 Toll Free Call Center: 1-877-696-6775 Website: [HHS.gov]( Follow us [Facebook]( [Twitter]( [YouTube]( [Instagram]( [Flickr]( [LinkedIn]( [View in browser]( [Forward this email]( [Unsubscribe or manage your email preferences](