coronavirus

ADAP Submits Letters to Governor Ivey and Dr. Harris Regarding COVID-19 Guidelines

Alabama Disabilities Advocacy Program has submitted two letters urging clarification and modification to existing COVID-19 healthcare guidelines.

The letter to Gov. Kay Ivey requests that the language in the Crisis Standards of Care (CSC) Guidelines be adjusted to develop transparent and clear guidance on how to implement the non-discrimination requirements in the event that rationing of ventilators becomes necessary. 

5c6e5108-6f2e-4855-bf54-b34c2ee6bbb6.jpg

The letter to Dr. Scott Harris asks for an exception to the “No Visitors” rule in hospital environments that allows persons with disabilities to have a support person present if needed to ensure adequate access to care.

Both letters were endorsed by various organizations in the disabilities service community.

$1, 200 Economic Impact Payments to SSI Recipients Will Not Count as Income

treasury.jpg

FROM SOCIAL SECURITY ADMINISTRATION COMMISSIONER ANDREW SAUL  APRIL 10, 2020

The Treasury Department launched a new web tool allowing quick registration for Economic Impact Payments for eligible individuals who do not normally file a tax return, and also announced that it would begin making automatic payments.  However, for some people receiving benefits from the Social Security Administration—specifically those who have dependent children under the age of 17—it is to their advantage to go to this portal to ensure they also get the $500 per dependent Economic Impact Payment. I encourage them to do this as soon as possible…read full statement here.

TEMPORARY Waiver of TB Skin Testing for New Employees through 4/30/20

From the Alabama Medicaid Agency on April 7, 2020:

“Due to a difficulty accessing providers that will provide and read TB skin tests, the Agency is issuing a temporary waiver of TB skin testing for new employees […] through 4/30/20.

download.jpg

“For new and initial employee testing: Complete TB skin test if possible. Otherwise, conduct TB screening using the TB Baseline Screening Assessment. It is imperative that employees whose skin tests are deferred be tracked and required to complete the skin testing as soon as reasonably possible.

View full memo from Alabama Medicaid Agency

ACL shares recommendations for protection against COVID-19 in community living settings

People who are 65 or older are more likely to have serious COVID-19 illness. This may be because immune systems change with age, making it harder to fight off diseases and infection. Older adults also are more likely to have underlying health conditions that make it harder to cope with and recover from illness.

In addition, people of any age who live in a nursing home or long-term care facility are at higher risk.

Other people who may be at higher risk for getting very sick from COVID-19, regardless of age or disability, include:

  • People with chronic lung disease or moderate-to-severe asthma

  • People who have serious heart conditions

  • People with a body mass index (BMI) of 40 or higher

  • People with diabetes

  • People with chronic kidney disease undergoing dialysis

  • People with liver disease

  • People who are immunocompromised. Many conditions can cause a person to be immunocompromised, including cancer treatment, smoking, bone marrow or organ transplantation, immune deficiencies, poorly controlled HIV or AIDS, and prolonged use of corticosteroids and other immune weakening medications including people receiving cancer treatment.

Reducing exposure is especially important for people at higher risk of complications!