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The Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) has announced its intent to request approval from the Office of Management and Budget for a new data collection project focused on Long COVID. This project aims to evaluate the effectiveness of the AHRQ's Long COVID Care Network, which has been set up to improve healthcare access and services for Long COVID patients, particularly those from underserved communities. The project will include interviews and surveys with healthcare providers and aims to gather insights into how well the care strategies are working and their reach. Public comments on this proposal are invited until February 18, 2025.

The Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), part of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, is asking the public for feedback on their Sickle Cell Disease (SCD) programs. These programs aim to improve the care and outcomes for people with SCD, a group of blood disorders that mainly affect Black and Hispanic Americans. The HRSA funds several initiatives to increase awareness, provide better care, and connect those affected with community resources. Public comments will help shape future programs to better support people with SCD and their families. Comments must be submitted by January 6, 2025.

The Advanced Research Projects Agency for Health (ARPA-H) within the Department of Health and Human Services is updating its structure to better meet legal requirements. This new organization includes various offices that focus on expanding health technology, improving healthcare access, and driving innovation in health systems. Each office has specific roles, such as developing new tools, improving health system resilience, and increasing healthcare accessibility. The Secretary of Health and Human Services, Xavier Becerra, has endorsed these changes to ensure ARPA-H effectively supports health advancements.

The Department of Defense has issued a notice waiving the referral requirement for those enrolled in TRICARE Prime, except for active duty service members, so they can receive COVID-19 vaccines. This waiver allows them to get vaccinated at any TRICARE-authorized non-network provider without having to pay point-of-service charges. The waiver is in place to ensure wider access to vaccines during the COVID-19 national emergency. This was enacted because of the high demand for vaccines and possible limited supply.

The Social Security Administration has issued a Temporary Final Rule (TFR) extending the flexibility in evaluating the "close proximity of time" standard for musculoskeletal disorder listings until May 11, 2029. This extension allows the administration more time to study healthcare practices and access, especially given the increased use of telehealth services after the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency. The rule aims to accommodate the ongoing changes in healthcare access and provision by allowing more time for individuals to meet the required medical listing criteria for disability claims. The public is invited to submit comments on this rule by March 18, 2025.

The Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ), a part of the Department of Health and Human Services, has issued a request for information (RFI) to explore the impact of ageism in healthcare. The agency seeks public input on how age-related stereotypes and biases affect health care quality and access. AHRQ is interested in learning about innovative strategies to address these challenges, with responses informing future research and policies to improve healthcare for older adults. The public can submit their comments until March 15, 2025, but the agency will not respond individually to submissions.

The Executive Order 13997, titled "Improving and Expanding Access to Care and Treatments for COVID-19," aims to enhance healthcare systems and accelerate the development of COVID-19 therapies. It directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services and other partners to support research, especially in underserved areas, to study the long-term impacts of COVID-19. The order also seeks to increase the capacity of healthcare facilities and improve access to affordable healthcare by addressing barriers and promoting insurance coverage for treatments. Additionally, it underscores the need for equitable distribution of COVID-19 treatments while ensuring the order does not conflict with existing laws or create enforceable rights.

The Health Resources and Services Administration announced that the National Advisory Committee on the National Health Service Corps (NACNHSC) will hold public meetings in 2021. These meetings will discuss the current and future priorities of the NACNHSC, including healthcare access and workforce development, and take place in March, June, and November. Participants may attend these meetings in person, via teleconference, or online through Adobe Connect, with additional details available on the NACNHSC website. Members of the public can submit written comments in advance or request to speak during the meetings by contacting the designated official.