THIS WEEK IN CONGRESS - November 13, 2020

Nov 15, 2020

In this issue:

· CHCC to get new COVID-19 treatment

· We honor veterans

· Veterans History Project 20th Anniversary

· Marianas reefs “fair,” in decline

· IRS announced EIP deadline

· Rota study comment deadline nears

· Medicare enrollment open

· Military academy nominations open

· Kilili Time Capsule

· Opportunities

· Legislative highlights

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CHCC to get new COVID-19 treatment

The Commonwealth Healthcare Corporation will receive 10 vials of bamlanivimab, an investigational neutralizing antibody treatment for COVID-19, which received Emergency Use Authorization from the Food and Drug Administration on Tuesday. One vial is one treatment course. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services plans weekly allocations of the new drug based on the need in each of the states, territories, and freely associated states. The Emergency Use Authorization allows healthcare providers to administer bamlanivimab to non-hospitalized patients with confirmed COVID-19, who are experiencing mild to moderate symptoms and are at high risk for severe symptoms and hospitalization. Congress made nearly $10 billion available through the CARES Act and other emergency funding to support the rapid development of effective medical countermeasures, like bamlanivimab, to combat the coronavirus crisis.

Marianas reefs “fair,” in decline

Coral reefs in the Northern Marianas received a “fair” score in a condition status report for U.S. coral reefs, released Tuesday by NOAA and the University of Maryland Center for Environmental Science. The status report incorporates data on coral reef ecosystems from 2012 tot 2018. The overall, national score is also “fair,” and the report stresses coral reefs everywhere are at risk and in decline. Established by the Coral Reef Conservation Program, the National Coral Reef Monitoring Program developed the scoring system based on four indicators: coral and algae abundance, fish populations, climate influence, and human connections. The data indicate reefs and and the fish reefs support are most impacted near dense human population centers – likely due to pollution and water quality issues and fishing impacts. But even isolated reef systems are vulnerable to warming waters and other effects of global climate change.

IRS announces EIP deadline

While few Marianas residents file an income tax return with the U.S. Internal Revenue Service, the Marianas tax system mirrors the rules and requirements of the federal system. So, we wanted to pass on an alert from the IRS that the deadline to register for an Economic Impact Payment is now November 21, 2020. Congress authorized the EIPs ($1,200 for individuals and $2,400 for joint taxpayers) in the CARES Act last March. Qualifying dependent children were also eligible for $500 each. The IRS also announced that incarcerated individuals are now considered eligible for an EIP, per a recent court order. See IRS FAQ #A7. Self-supporting college students, who do not file a tax return or have little to no income, were also reminded to register by November 21 to receive their Economic Impact Payment.

Medicare Open Enrollment

Open enrollment for Medicare begins on October 15 and will remain open through December 7. 2021 plans are now available on the Medicare Plan Finder just in time to help beneficiaries review coverage options that will best fit their health needs. Beneficiaries that do not wish to change their current Medicare coverage plan do not need to re-enroll. Information on coverage options can also be provided by phone at 1-800-MEDICARE.