HHS’ latest provider relief distribution cast aside providers’ calls for the administration to reimburse costs or losses from the Delta or Omicron surges, and providers face un uphill battle as the Biden administration is only asking Congress to add funds to the uninsured reimbursement pot -- a multibillion dollar fund drawn in part from provider relief that Republicans are highly critical of. The agency in charge of releasing provider relief, the Health Resources and Services Administration, announced Thursday (Feb. 24)...

Black children, students from historically black colleges and universities (HBCUs) and young professionals of color will play a critical role in advancing equity in health care, but it will take a concerted effort from schools, employers and CMS to strengthen the pipeline of future medical professionals from Black communities -- an effort that should begin as early as middle school, said CMS Administrator Chiquita Brooks-LaSure and a panel of Black women doctors during a round table discussion Thursday (Feb. 24)...