Jeremy, thanks as always. On the telework at HHS, creating chaos and fear is this administration’s super power. For me what stands out is the massive impact of making telework impossible on already marginalized workers. ..i.e. disabled, low income workers who don't own cars, etc. Disabled workers who are the largest marginalized group in the US according to CDC can keep working and contributing to community, support their families, and pay taxes when they are allowed to work from home.
…disabled staff, those of lower income and so no cars. Which also makes me think of How many FDAstaff could be using public transportation like the rest of us.?
I do however worry about docs doing less face to face exams and relying on AI. (It has it’s advantages in rural communities and during bad weather, but I see it becoming too common a practice). Doctors don’t even have you change into gowns so they can physically examine you anymore. I remember an old friend who was an epidemiologist at Johns Hopkins 15 years ago doing research that proved that even adding just 10 more minutes to a regular exam often revealed something important that wouldn’t have been picked up had it been shorter.
TY so much for your invaluable “inside medicine” reporting. My hair is on fire most days (Jackie Robinson news yesterday)While I am tempted to look away -I can’t. Miraculously I have retained a bit of my sense of humor-like looking at your photo of the parking snarl and likening it to “I am not a robot test” 🤣
this from the National Association of Social Workers - in a 3/20/25 newsletter:
Congress Passes Short-Term Extension for Medicare Telehealth Flexibilities
Mar 15, 2025
On March 11, 2025, the U.S. House passed a six-month continuing resolution (CR) to fund the government through September 30, 2025. The U.S. Senate passed the same resolution on March 14, 2025. The CR included extending the Medicare authority to cover telehealth through September 30, 2025.
Social workers sent over 6,700 messages to Congress through the NASW Action Center urging Congress to extend the telehealth flexibilities.
Included in the telehealth flexibilities extension is removal of the 6-month in-person requirement for telemental health services through September 30, 2025.
I appreciate this update. I'm also would like to hear if you have any information on what's happening with the extension of the telemedicine rules for Medicare providers. The current authorization to provide services remotely supposedly runs out at the end of the month of March. I'm a Clinical Social Worker and provide mental health services. Many of my clients use telemedicine sessions - some are many miles away, or have mobility or limited transportation options.
Jeremy, on the news from the judges very STRONG AND DETAILED response to Trump telling him he must reinstate all Fed workers like those at USAID, really great and a morale booster. But not sure it will be more as Trump continues to defy court orders and even the delaying of them causes much confusion and insecurity. Not many are going to go back to work till the legal course finishes playing out, and that will be for awhile. Did also appreciate that Chief Justice Roberts sent out a public chastisement of Trump right after that judges ruling, warning Trump to not threaten that judge, and gave Trump a quick lesson on gov civics and the legal process and how the constitution is written in this process to protect one branch of gov from being authoritatively taken over by another. (Though rather ironic, considering Justice Roberts just ruled in 2024 that the President pretty much has complete immunity.)
Maybe I am misinterpreting this but is it possible this actually leaves MORE possibilities for workers to use telework? Friends at HHS are being told now that they simply have to go in. Whereas this seems to give some discretion to individual bosses to permit telework for high performing workers when deemed appropriate and can be documented as such?
I’m afraid that that would be overly optimistic as it would require someone taking the time to do all the many levels of oversight and staff while this administration’s agenda is not efficiency but to create chaos . It’s fine with them if a dept or agency falls apart (due to their instructions) as that just makes their case that these Fed agencies are inept.
Jeremy, thanks as always. On the telework at HHS, creating chaos and fear is this administration’s super power. For me what stands out is the massive impact of making telework impossible on already marginalized workers. ..i.e. disabled, low income workers who don't own cars, etc. Disabled workers who are the largest marginalized group in the US according to CDC can keep working and contributing to community, support their families, and pay taxes when they are allowed to work from home.
…disabled staff, those of lower income and so no cars. Which also makes me think of How many FDAstaff could be using public transportation like the rest of us.?
I do however worry about docs doing less face to face exams and relying on AI. (It has it’s advantages in rural communities and during bad weather, but I see it becoming too common a practice). Doctors don’t even have you change into gowns so they can physically examine you anymore. I remember an old friend who was an epidemiologist at Johns Hopkins 15 years ago doing research that proved that even adding just 10 more minutes to a regular exam often revealed something important that wouldn’t have been picked up had it been shorter.
TY so much for your invaluable “inside medicine” reporting. My hair is on fire most days (Jackie Robinson news yesterday)While I am tempted to look away -I can’t. Miraculously I have retained a bit of my sense of humor-like looking at your photo of the parking snarl and likening it to “I am not a robot test” 🤣
I'm going to answer my own question.
this from the National Association of Social Workers - in a 3/20/25 newsletter:
Congress Passes Short-Term Extension for Medicare Telehealth Flexibilities
Mar 15, 2025
On March 11, 2025, the U.S. House passed a six-month continuing resolution (CR) to fund the government through September 30, 2025. The U.S. Senate passed the same resolution on March 14, 2025. The CR included extending the Medicare authority to cover telehealth through September 30, 2025.
Social workers sent over 6,700 messages to Congress through the NASW Action Center urging Congress to extend the telehealth flexibilities.
Included in the telehealth flexibilities extension is removal of the 6-month in-person requirement for telemental health services through September 30, 2025.
I appreciate this update. I'm also would like to hear if you have any information on what's happening with the extension of the telemedicine rules for Medicare providers. The current authorization to provide services remotely supposedly runs out at the end of the month of March. I'm a Clinical Social Worker and provide mental health services. Many of my clients use telemedicine sessions - some are many miles away, or have mobility or limited transportation options.
It would be great to know what to expect.
Jeremy, on the news from the judges very STRONG AND DETAILED response to Trump telling him he must reinstate all Fed workers like those at USAID, really great and a morale booster. But not sure it will be more as Trump continues to defy court orders and even the delaying of them causes much confusion and insecurity. Not many are going to go back to work till the legal course finishes playing out, and that will be for awhile. Did also appreciate that Chief Justice Roberts sent out a public chastisement of Trump right after that judges ruling, warning Trump to not threaten that judge, and gave Trump a quick lesson on gov civics and the legal process and how the constitution is written in this process to protect one branch of gov from being authoritatively taken over by another. (Though rather ironic, considering Justice Roberts just ruled in 2024 that the President pretty much has complete immunity.)
Maybe I am misinterpreting this but is it possible this actually leaves MORE possibilities for workers to use telework? Friends at HHS are being told now that they simply have to go in. Whereas this seems to give some discretion to individual bosses to permit telework for high performing workers when deemed appropriate and can be documented as such?
Ugh true
Breaks my heart too.
I’m afraid that that would be overly optimistic as it would require someone taking the time to do all the many levels of oversight and staff while this administration’s agenda is not efficiency but to create chaos . It’s fine with them if a dept or agency falls apart (due to their instructions) as that just makes their case that these Fed agencies are inept.