HHS State-Federal COVID-19 Resources

Daily Federal Agency Updates Related to COVID-19

Learn more about the state and federal resources NCSL has put together for our members on a number of health and human services topics and COVID-19. Also read COVID-19: Daily Announcements From Federal Agencies.

COVID-19 Economic Relief Bill | Health and Human Services Legislative Provisions 

At the end of 2020, both chambers of Congress came together and passed coronavirus relief and appropriations funding. Between the two bills, there were 5,600 pages containing many health and human services provisions and funding allocations. Health issues in the legislation ranged from prescription drug costs to strengthening parity in mental health. Many of the items, including funding for several essential health programs, also known as the “extenders,” were well past their timeline to receive funding. Human services legislation ranged from Family First Prevention Services waivers and funding to additional child care funding. Below is a breakdown of the health and human services funding and legislative provisions included in this legislative package.

Information Alerts, Letters and Statements

• NCSL Joint Letter: Big 7 and External Partners Letter to Congressional Leadership to enhance Federal Medical Assistance Percentages (FMAP) for the Medicaid program & rescind Medicaid Fiscal Accountability Rule (MFAR). (July 10, 2020)
• NCSL Information Alert: President Trump Declares State of Emergency for COVID-19 (updated March 25, 2020)
• NCSL Letter to Congress: Response to COVID-19 Virus Outbreak | PDF
• NCSL Issues Statement on Coronavirus Funding Bill
• NCSL Letter to Congressional Leadership: New Sick and Family Medical Leave Requirements in First Coronavirus Response Act (HR 6201) (March 21, 2020)

Federal COVID-19 Blogs

• Congress Appropriates at Least $1.05 Billion to States, Territories, Tribes to Combat COVID-19
• Health, Human Service Highlights from Second COVID-19 Relief Bill
• Coronavirus, A Federal and State Rundown
• A Look at Health Provisions in the CARES Act
• Human Services and Housing Analysis of Third COVID-19 Package
• A Quick Review of the Paycheck Protection Program and Health Care Enhancement Act
• SNAP Food Assistance Flexibilities Grow During COVID-19
• Webinar June 24: Using the Federal Child Nutrition Programs to Respond to COVID-19 

Federal Legislative Summaries

• NCSL Summary of HR 6201
• COVID-19 Stimulus Bill: What It Means for States
• HEROES Act Provisions
• Coronavirus (COVID-19) Response Child Nutrition & School Meals 

State and Federal Health Related Blogs

• Safeguarding the Susceptible: Protecting Long-Term Care Patients During a Pandemic
• COVID-19: Drug Shortages Amid a Pandemic
• Pregnant in a Pandemic: Coronavirus Changes Birth Plans for Many
• COVID-19 Contact Tracing: What It Is and How It Is Getting Done in States
• COVID-19 Is Calling the Shots: Report Shows Decreased Childhood Immunization Rates
• Chronic Conditions and COVID-19: Keeping Care Close, at a Distance
• Bridging the Gap to Youth Mental Health During COVID-19 
• New and Updated CDC Guidance for Certain Groups and Settings
• Combating Misinformation During an 'Infodemic'
• States Acting Quickly to Support 911 COVID-19 Responders
• How States Are Leveraging Their Medicaid Programs to Respond to COVID-19
• Mitigating Health Workforce Barriers During the COVID-19 Pandemic
• What Costs Do Patients Face During a Global Pandemic?

HHS COVID-19 Related Webinars

• Therapies and Vaccines | View Webinar
• State and Federal Public Health Responses | View Webinar
• Housing and Homelessness | View Webinar
• Guidance for Easing State Restrictions  | View Webinar
• Leveraging Medicaid for Coverage, Testing and Treatment | View Webinar
• Engaging Private Health Insurance for Coverage, Testing and Treatment | View Webinar
• Ensuring Financial Stability of Health Care Facilities | View Webinar
• Mobilizing a Safe and Adequate Health Workforce | View Webinar
• State Efforts on Testing and Contact Tracing | View Webinar
• COVID-19 and Child Welfare: A Series of Virtual Meetings | View Archived Meetings
• Education, Child Care and Nutrition |View Webinar
• COVID-19: Maintaining Child Vaccination Rates During a Pandemic

COVID 19 Related NCSL Podcast Episodes

• "Our American States" | COVID-19: State Public Health and Fiscal Responses
• "Our American States" | COVID-19: Feeding Kids During the Pandemic 
• "Our American States" | COVID-19: Health Care in Rural America
• "Our American States" | COVID-19: Coronavirus Modeling and Reopening the Economy 
• "Our American States" | COVID-19: States, the CDC and Suicide Prevention