COVID-19 Omicron Variant Safety Tips

[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 [Omicron]( COVID-19 Safety Tips Did you know? The Omicron variant spreads more easily than the original virus that causes COVID-19. Help stop Omicron by using all the tools to protect yourself and others. [Learn more »]( HHS News Releases Week of December 26, 2021 [HHS Announces Availability of Nearly $48 Million to Increase the Public Health Workforce in Rural and Tribal Communities]( December 23, 2021 The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), through the Health Resources and Services Administration’s (HRSA) Federal Office of Rural Health Policy, is announcing the availability of nearly $48 million in American Rescue Plan funding for community-based organizations to expand public health capacity in rural and tribal communities through health care job development, training, and placement. [Read full news release]( [Massachusetts Healthcare Provider Resolves Allegations of Discriminatory Practices Regarding Patients Needing Opioid Use Disorder Treatment]( December 22, 2021 The Office for Civil Rights (OCR) at the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and United States Attorney's Office in the District of Massachusetts announced today that they have reached agreement with The Oaks, a skilled nursing facility in Massachusetts operated by Life Care Centers of America, Inc., to resolve allegations that the facility denied admission to a prospective resident because he was taking an FDA-approved medication to treat Opioid Use Disorder (OUD), in violation of Section 1557 of the Affordable Care Act, the Rehabilitation Act, and Title III of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). [Read full news release]( [All-Time High: 13.6 Million People Signed Up for Health Coverage on the ACA Insurance Marketplaces With a Month of Open Enrollment Left to Go]( December 22, 2021 This year's Open Enrollment Period is outpacing all previous years, a historic high of more than 13.6 million people already enrolled in health insurance coverage for 2022 through [HealthCare.gov]( and State-based Marketplaces (SBMs). [Read full news release]( [New Guidance to Boost Accessibility and Equity in COVID-19 Vaccine Programs]( December 22, 2021 The Office for Civil Rights (OCR) at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) is issuing guidance today tied to legal standards and best practices for improving access to COVID-19 vaccine programs and ensuring nondiscrimination on the basis of race, color, and national origin. [Read full news release]( [Joint Statement from Secretary Xavier Becerra and Ambassador Katherine Tai on President Biden’s Announcement of Intent to Appoint Commissioners to the President’s Advisory Commission on Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians, and Pacific Islanders]( December 20, 2021 Washington D.C. – Today, Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Xavier Becerra and US Trade Representative Ambassador Katherine Tai, co-chairs of the White House Initiative on Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians, and Pacific Islanders and President’s Advisory Commission on Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians, and Pacific Islanders, issued a joint statement following President Joe Biden’s announcement of his intent today to appoint 23 leaders to the Commission. [Read full news release]( [HHS Announces PandemicX Accelerator with Health IT Cohort to Address COVID-19 Health Disparities]( December 20, 2021 Today, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services announced that 15 digital health startups are joining the 2022 PandemicX Accelerator cohort, specifically to address health inequities, create a culture for success, and deploy resources to mitigate the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. [Read full news release]( [HHS Issues Guidance on HIPAA and Disclosures of Protected Health Information for Extreme Risk Protection Orders]( December 20, 2021 The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services' (HHS) through its Office for Civil Rights (OCR) is issuing guidance to help clarify how the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA) Privacy Rule permits covered health care providers to disclose protected health information to support applications for extreme risk protection orders that temporarily prevent a person in crisis, who poses a danger to themselves or others, from accessing firearms. [Read full news release]( [HHS Announces Critical Investments to Implement Upcoming 988 Dialing Code for National Suicide Prevention Lifeline]( December 20, 2021 Today the Department of Health and Human Services, through its Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), will make critical investments in suicide prevention and crisis care services, announcing $282 million to help transition the [National Suicide Prevention Lifeline]( exit disclaimer icon from its current 10-digit number to a three-digit dialing code – 988. [Read full news release]( [See More News Releases]( [HHS Overdose Prevention Strategy]( COVID-19 Travel Guidance Traveling for the holidays is around the corner. Find tips and guidance from CDC to keep yourself and your family safe. [Learn more »]( U.S. Department of Health and Human Services 200 Independence Avenue, S.W. 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