Follow and join the conversation with #100DaysOfBiden.
When it comes to healthcare, what did we see during the first 100 days of the Biden administration? I think it is safe to say, A LOT. The fight against the pandemic was front and center for the new president who vowed to follow the science when making decisions, take control of vaccine distribution and administration and expand healthcare coverage for the American people. While combating the virus was top of mind, Biden also has been building his team at HHS and working on reestablishing the ACA. This week’s Friday Five takes a look at what has been accomplished thus far.
To the delight of American scientists, one of Biden’s very first actions after being sworn into office was to rejoin The World Health Organization and appoint Dr. Anthony Fauci, head of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Disease, to represent the United States on the world body’s executive committee.
On his 58th day in office the Biden met his goal of 100 million vaccinations, well before the promised 100 day mark. The president then set a new goal and projected that we would see 200 million vaccine doses administered by the 100 day mark. The administration met that new goal with a week to spare. The current count as of the time of this post is 232,407,669 vaccine doses administered to Americans. For the most up-to-date COVID-19 numbers of vaccines and more in the U.S. and worldwide be sure to check out the COVID-19 Tracker which compiles data from CDC, WHO and more.
The most impressive US accomplishment of the 1st 100 @POTUS days is having built a wall to fend off a major B.1.1.7 strain surge. Vaccine immunity in >140 million people provided the requisite defense against this more formidable version of the virus. pic.twitter.com/oD5QNuiHXk
— Eric Topol (@EricTopol) April 28, 2021
We’ve officially passed 200 million shots since the start of our Administration. It’s a big milestone, but we still have a long way to go. Get vaccinated, folks. pic.twitter.com/EgRIlGQKlV
— President Biden (@POTUS) April 22, 2021
While many Americans and the media were focused on the economic relief Biden’s American Rescue Plan promised, another component of the package addressed healthcare. HHS recently released a Fact Sheet explaining how the ARP is reducing health care costs, expanding access to insurance coverage, and addressing health care disparities.
Today @SecBecerra announced that through the American Rescue Plan, more savings and lower health care costs are now available on https://t.co/UkTACLkiWf. Read more here: https://t.co/sz2S19Dtc7 pic.twitter.com/5NcABilFeG
— HHS.gov (@HHSGov) April 1, 2021
Another top priority for President Biden was to “restore and strengthen Americans’ access to quality, affordable health care” by signing Executive Orders to strengthen the ACA and Medicaid, protect women’s health here and abroad, and re-open enrollment to the Health Insurance Marketplace.
Today the @WhiteHouse announced it will open a Special Enrollment Period for Americans to sign up for health coverage and roll back attacks on the #ACA , #Medicaid, and access to reproductive health care. #ValueCHCs https://t.co/cAFlOnRviZ
— HealthCenterPartners (@HCPSoCal) January 28, 2021
KHN’s ‘What the Health?’: Picking Up the Pace of Undoing Trump Policies
Departmental leaders for the HHS are among the most qualified public servants in the Federal Government. Learn about some of them below:
Xavier Becerra (@SecBecerra) was confirmed as the 25th United States Secretary of Health and Human Services on March 18, 2021. Read what people had to say about his confirmation.
Vice Admiral Vivek H. Murthy, MD, MBA (@Surgeon_General) was confirmed by the U.S. Senate in March 2021 to serve as the 21st Surgeon General of the United States as a returning role.
I’m honored to be sworn in as your Surgeon General. I owe this day to my family who has guided and supported me every step of the way. I stand ready to work with you to end this pandemic and to build a world where good health is within everyone’s grasp. pic.twitter.com/uUB0MyzDrL
— Dr. Vivek Murthy, U.S. Surgeon General (@Surgeon_General) March 25, 2021
Rachel L. Levine, M.D. (@HHS_ASH) serves as the 17th Assistant Secretary for Health for HHS.
Today, and every day, let us continue to celebrate the resilience and success of transgender and gender non-binary people while raising awareness of transgender rights.
Transgender rights are human rights. #TransDayOfVisibility pic.twitter.com/jsXtvCld8B
— Dr. Rachel Levine (@HHS_ASH) March 31, 2021
Micky Tripathi, PhD, MPP (@mickytripathi1) was named the New ONC National Coordinator for the administation. Micky was recently a guest of two of our shows: Harlow on Healthcare and The Tate Chronicles.
Congratulation to #HealthIT veteran and pioneer Micky Tripathi, PhD, MPP @mickytripathi1 the New National Coordinator @ONC_HealthIT @JimTate @healthblawg https://t.co/rAWLpvc0Cl
— Health IT Answers (@healthitanswers) January 24, 2021
Rochelle P. Walensky, MD, MPH (@CDCDirector) is the 19th Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the ninth Administrator of the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry. Dr. Walensky recently made our Friday Five list of COVID Experts to Follow on Twitter.
This note from @POTUS is an honor! However, the real thanks goes to the @CDCgov staff working on the frontlines of the pandemic. I’m continually inspired by each of you & want to share the President’s thanks to the public health heroes working to stop the spread of #COVID19. 👏 pic.twitter.com/ZVjJvvjqOC
— Rochelle Walensky, MD, MPH (@CDCDirector) April 21, 2021
What's Next?
Find out what’s in store for #healthcare in the first 100 days and more in Washington with @BobDohertyACP on 4/30 at 2:45p, including:
•Administration priorities
•Is major health care reform possible?
•Potential areas for bipartisan cooperation
•#ACPVision4HealthCare pic.twitter.com/stj4Wgqe34— ACP (@ACPinternists) April 28, 2021
ICYMI – Our other Friday Fives and Blog posts from HCNR’s Nurse Lauren.
