Short-term funding bill passes House, moves to Senate
The U.S. House passed a short-term funding bill Wednesday to avert a government shutdown ahead of Friday's funding deadline. The move pushes the deadline to Friday, Dec. 23, allowing lawmakers more time to strike a deal on spending for the remainder of the 2023 fiscal year. The resolution passed the House 224-201 and is going to the Senate where it must pass and be sent to President Joe Biden for signature before midnight on Dec. 23 to avoid a shutdown.

COVID-19 flexibilities available for other respiratory illnesses
States and health care providers may use regulatory flexibilities available during the COVID-19 public health emergency to help respond to non-COVID-19 illnesses straining Iowa hospitals and health care systems. The flexibilities can be used for the response to flu, respiratory syncytial virus, said Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra.

Becerra also said the Administration for Strategic Preparedness and Response is evaluating any formal requests for federal medical assistance, including requests for medical personnel. HHS is working in close coordination with requesting state and jurisdictions to determine the needs and availability of matching resources.

Register for CMS survey readiness webinar
Hospitals should always be prepared from top to bottom for a survey from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. The second of IHA’s 2023 regulatory webinars will focus on preparing for surveys to minimize adverse findings. Nancy Ruzicka, a consultant on state and federal compliance, will lead the webinar.

Participants will discuss:

• Being your own watchdog.
• Keeping current on regulation changers.
• Preparing front-line staff for surveyor questions and observations.
• What to do when a hospital is notified surveyors are at the door.

The Survey Readiness webinar is scheduled from 10 a.m.-noon Thursday, Jan. 26. Email Tori Hanson at IHA with questions.

HHS updates therapeutics ordering schedule for 2023
The Iowa Department of Health and Human Services is transitioning its COVID-19 therapeutics ordering to a monthly schedule. The 2023 schedule begins January:

• Survey sent, Jan. 17, 2023.
• Survey closed, Jan. 18, 2023.
• Order placed, Jan. 19, 2023.
• Survey sent, Feb. 13, 2023.
• Survey closed, Feb. 14, 2023.
• Order placed, Feb. 15, 2023.

HHS encourages organizations receiving allocations of therapeutic products to notify and work with prescribers and licensed practitioners of the healing arts about the availability of therapeutic products in the community.

IHA associate member spotlight: Henkel Construction
IHA associate member Henkel Construction has delivered high-quality construction services in Iowa and through the Midwest for more than 130 years. Meeting the unique needs of their customers, Henkel Construction offers a variety of services including:

• Construction management.
• Design-build.
• General construction.

Henkel Construction uses the latest technology guided by its values and history of workmanship to create successful projects. Its dedication to safety, quality, performance and professionalism has made Henkel Construction a trusted company for over a century.

Contact Bill Philips, director of business development with Henkel Construction, at 641-423-5674 for more information.