Bergman Provides Additional Coronavirus Information
Washington,
March 17, 2020
President Trump is Expanding Telehealth Access In Response to Coronavirus
The Administration has announced it is expanding telehealth access for Medicare patients to help protect America’s seniors and high-risk individuals. The President is directing the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) to expand telehealth access for Medicare beneficiaries. Prior to this, Medicare was only able to offer telehealth services under limited circumstances. Medicare patients across the country will now be able to receive a wide range of services via telehealth. The Administration is cutting red tape so healthcare providers can provide patients the services they need without placing them at risk. This expansion allows Medicare patients to be evaluated, receive preventative health screenings, and other services without leaving home. Through telehealth, patients can access their doctors over the telephone or through video programs like Skype. Telehealth services offer flexibility to Medicare recipients and provide an easy way for at-risk patients to receive services while avoiding exposure. Expanding telehealth will also relieve stress on healthcare providers, allowing them to offer services remotely so that emergency rooms and doctor’s offices are available for urgent cases.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- An online map has been developed for families to find locations where meals are being provided during this period of school closure. The map will be updated twice each day during the closure period. These meals, served under the program called Unanticipated School Closure Summer Food Service Program (SFSP), are available to all children at no cost. Up to two meals per day may be served to all children ages 0-18. This includes students with disabilities ages 18-26 with an active individual education program (IEP). This program assists Michigan’s school districts and community partners to ensure that kids receive nutritious meals during the school closure announced by Governor Gretchen Whitmer on March 12, 2020. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore Closes Visitor Center EMPIRE, MI - Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore (National Lakeshore) is closing the Philip A. Hart visitor center in Empire, MI. In making these decisions, the National Lakeshore is following guidance from the CDC and recommendations from state and local public health authorities in consultation with NPS Public Health Services Officers. The Spring Break Escape ~ National Parks Film Festival scheduled for March 21, 27, 28, and 31 will be rescheduled. The trails and scenic locations within the National Lakeshore remain open for visitation. People should, however, follow CDC social distancing guidance while visiting the park. For National Lakeshore information, download the Sleeping Bear Dunes mobile app for both Apple and Android phones. Park rangers are also available to answer questions about the National Lakeshore by calling 231-326-4700, ext. 5010, or emailing sleepingbearinfo@nps.gov. Changes to the park’s availability to answer phone and email inquiries will be announced on the National Lakeshore’s social media channels.
Small Business Administration (SBA) Disaster Assistance in Response to the Coronavirus Canada is now recommending that all travelers from outside of Canada self-isolate for 14 days. There is however an exemption to the request to self-isolate for workers who are essential to the movement of goods and people, including healthy workers in the trade and transportation sector, such as truck drivers and crew on any plane, train or marine vessel crossing the border, as well as healthy people who have to cross the border to go to work, including health care providers and critical infrastructure workers. |
