Promoting Partnerships To Improve Veterans’ Health

CEO Update for Week of October 5, 2020

6 Oct 2020 1:04 PM | Anonymous member (Administrator)
  1. NAVREF is proud to announce we are partnering with LIG Solutions, LLC, a subsidiary of Lighthouse Insurance Group, to establish a Partnership Health Member Benefit Program.  A formal announcement and detailed information will be forthcoming, but please block your calendars on October 15, 2-3pm ET for an introductory webinar presentation.
  1. See attached ORD COVID-19 Update from ORD. Please note the webinars highlighted in the “Upcoming Events” portion of this update.
  1. NIH Update - On Sep 30, 2020 Dr. Larry Tabak, Principal Deputy Director of the NIH, participated in a virtual Alliance Member Update with Research America! Key takeaways from the discussion: 
  • Many NIH Institutes and Centers (ICs) are extending application deadlines; most are considering grant extensions and cost supplements triggered by the pandemic on a case-by-case basis; they face tough choices (made all the more so now by the lack of emergency supplemental research funding).
  • In October, NIH will field a survey designed to solicit feedback from extramural scientists and research organizations on the challenges they are facing.
  • Peer review is taking place remotely; this practice may continue beyond the pandemic.
  • NIH will likely initially reduce grant amounts for FY21, as has been common during other Continuing Resolutions.
  1. Legislative Update –
  • A.      On Oct. 1, 2020, the president signed H.R. 8337, a continuing resolution to fund the government until Dec. 11, 2020.
  • B.      On Sep 30, 2020, The House Veterans Affairs Committee (HVAC) held a hearing to review the Department of Veterans Affairs’ (VA) intention to go live on October 24 with its new EHR system, from Cerner. VA witnesses emphasized they are fully ready for that date, with employees trained and Cerner support staff in place. VA EHR modernization lead John Windom also told the committee the Department has enough money for its plans throughout the coming fiscal year. The pandemic has delayed the program’s implementation, but the VA expects to still finish within the ten-year timeline.
  1. Upcoming calendar events:                    
  • Oct 6-22                      SCRS Global Site Solutions Summit (virtual)
  • Oct 15, 2-3pm ET        NAVREF Webinar: “Group and Individual Health Coverage Overview,” presented by LIG Solutions
  • Oct 22                          NAVREF Webinar “Fundraising Registration 101: Why, Who, Where and How to Comply with State Laws”
  • Oct 28-29                    VHA Innovation Experience (virtual)



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