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Housing Trust Fund to receive estimated $739.6 million

Housing Trust Fund to receive estimated $739.6 million

by | Feb 23, 2022 | Econometrica Blog

Houses over money

Housing Trust Fund to receive estimated $739.6 million
Recent data submitted to the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission indicates the national Housing Trust Fund (HTF) will receive an estimated $739.6 million in 2022.

The estimate, based on 10-K forms recently submitted by Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, would be an increase from the $689.7 million in 2021.

According to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, “HTF funds may be used for the production or preservation of affordable housing through the acquisition, new construction, reconstruction, and/or rehabilitation of non-luxury housing with suitable amenities.” Funds are distributed as block grants to states using a formula based on four factors that only consider renter household needs.

The Federal Housing Finance Agency is expected to announce total amounts available for the HTF in March.

Fannie Mae’s 10-K can be found at https://www.fanniemae.com/media/42821/display.

Freddie Mac’s 10-K can be found at http://www.freddiemac.com/investors/financials/pdf/10k_021022.pdf.

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Econometrica specializes in research and management across numerous industries in both the public and private sectors. We are always looking to hire the best and brightest in data science, health, grants management, energy, homeland security, housing and community development, capital markets and finance, and transportation. We work as the lead service provider, and also as a capable outsource partner to other consultancies. To work with us on your next project, visit us online and email a member of our executive staff in your preferred specialty. To explore the benefits of working for us, visit our careers page.

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New Report Provides Detailed Data on Beneficiaries Who Are Dually Eligible for Medicare and Medicaid

by | Feb 17, 2022 | Econometrica Blog

Data Book

Dual-eligible beneficiaries, or individuals who qualify for both Medicare and Medicaid benefits because of their income level and age or disability status, can face a range of challenges in navigating and coordinating care through two separate systems. This population also experiences worse health outcomes, on average, as well as higher healthcare expenditures than non-dual beneficiaries, leading to concerns that those barriers to care are increasing costs while producing poor results.

As part of an ongoing project to help address these issues by creating “a common understanding” of the dual-eligible population, the Medicare Payment Advisory Commission (MedPAC) and Medicaid and CHIP Payment Access Commission (MACPAC) recently released a data book containing detailed information about the 12.2 million dual-eligible beneficiaries in the United States.

In addition to providing an overview of the Medicare and Medicaid programs for dual-eligible beneficiaries, the new report also provides detailed breakdowns of this population along a range of characteristics, including:

  • Demographics and personal characteristics, such as age, income, education, and residence.
  • Program eligibility, enrollment, and utilization.
  • Expenditures and healthcare spending.
  • Health outcomes, including chronic condition diagnoses as well as self-reported health status.

For more information, you can read the full report here.

To learn about how Econometrica is helping States access and use Medicare data to improve care coordination and support for their dual-eligible beneficiaries, visit our State Data Resource Center project page.

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Econometrica specializes in research and management across numerous industries in both the public and private sectors. We are always looking to hire the best and brightest in data science, health, grants management, energy, homeland security, housing and community development, capital markets and finance, and transportation. We work as the lead service provider, and also as a capable outsource partner to other consultancies. To work with us on your next project, visit us online and email a member of our executive staff in your preferred specialty. To explore the benefits of working for us, visit our careers page.

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CDC Provides Guidance on Talking With Parents About COVID-19 Vaccination

by | Feb 9, 2022 | Econometrica Blog

VaccineShotPeopleAs the COVID-19 pandemic continues to rage, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) urges everyone ages 5 and older to get vaccinated as soon as possible. More than 543 million doses of COVID-19 vaccine had been given in the United States through February 7, 2022, according to CDC.

Despite the safety of the vaccines, misinformation remains a problem nationwide. CDC provides recommendations for providers on how to answer questions from parents and caregivers about COVID-19 vaccines. Providers remain the most trusted source of information about vaccines.

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Econometrica specializes in research and management across numerous industries in both the public and private sectors. We are always looking to hire the best and brightest in data science, health, grants management, energy, homeland security, housing and community development, capital markets and finance, and transportation. We work as the lead service provider, and also as a capable outsource partner to other consultancies. To work with us on your next project, visit us online and email a member of our executive staff in your preferred specialty. To explore the benefits of working for us, visit our careers page.

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Small Business Pulse Survey Completes Phase 7

by | Feb 1, 2022 | Econometrica Blog

CENSUS Survey

The U.S. Census Bureau has released the latest data collected through its Small Business Pulse Survey (SBPS), a multi-phasal effort which measures how the COVID-19 pandemic has impacted small businesses across the country. The most recent phase of this study concluded on January 16, 2022.

Beginning in April 2020, SBPS measures the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic across a number of variables, including operating revenues and finances, employee retention and scheduling, changes in operations since March 2020, and measures implemented to slow or prevent the spread of COVID-19 among employees, such as vaccination and testing requirements. Past surveys have asked about the implementation of curbside services, remote work, and loans and other assistance, among others. Impact is measured through self-reported metrics; the Phase 7 questionnaire can be found at https://portal.census.gov/pulse/data/downloads/small-business-pulse-survey-questionnaire_11_15_2021.pdf.

The Census Bureau has made the data collected across all seven phases of the study available on its website at https://portal.census.gov/pulse/data/, allowing for comparisons of responses over time. As of January 16, an average of 23.3 percent of businesses reported a large negative effect on business due to the COVID-19 pandemic, a marked decrease from the original average of 51.4 percent reported the first week of the study (covering April 26 to May 2, 2020). SBPS has further tracked difficulties and delays with suppliers both domestic and foreign since August 2020, shining a light on current trends for businesses and potential pain points in the coming months.

Phase 8 of the survey is tentatively planned to begin in February 2022. Further information on the SBPS may be found at https://www.census.gov/data/experimental-data-products/small-business-pulse-survey.html.

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Econometrica specializes in research and management across numerous industries in both the public and private sectors. We are always looking to hire the best and brightest in data science, health, grants management, energy, homeland security, housing and community development, capital markets and finance, and transportation. We work as the lead service provider, and also as a capable outsource partner to other consultancies. To work with us on your next project, visit us online and email a member of our executive staff in your preferred specialty. To explore the benefits of working for us, visit our careers page.

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Government Launches Site to Order Free COVID Tests; Insurers Required to Cover At-Home Tests

Government Launches Site to Order Free COVID Tests; Insurers Required to Cover At-Home Tests

by | Jan 18, 2022 | Press Release

InHomeTestBETHESDA, MD – A new website from the Federal Government allows Americans to order free COVID-19 tests.

COVIDTests.gov opened January 18 in what White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki called a “beta phase,” with the formal launch set for January 19. The site will allow every household to order up to four free at-home COVID-19 tests.

“We can’t guarantee there won’t be a bug or two, but the best tech teams across the administration and the Postal Service are working hard to make this a success,” Psaki said.

The tests are part of the Biden administration’s purchase of 500 million tests last month to help tackle a record surge in infections. The site’s launch comes on the heals of changes to incentivize insurers and group health plans to allow people to easily obtain at-home tests.

Beginning January 15, insurance companies and group health plans are required to cover the cost of over-the-counter, at-home COVID-19 tests. The new coverage requirement means most consumers with private health coverage can but a test online or at pharmacy or store and either get it paid for upfront by their health plan or get reimbursed for the cost by submitting a claim to their plan.

This new requirement allows individuals to purchase up to eight tests per month.

“Under President Biden’s leadership, we are requiring insurers and group health plans to make tests free for millions of Americans. This is all part of our overall strategy to ramp-up access to easy-to-use, at-home tests at no cost,” U.S. Department of Health & Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra said. “Since we took office, we have more than tripled the number of sites where people can get COVID-19 tests for free, and we’re also purchasing half a billion at-home, rapid tests to send for free to Americans who need them. By requiring private health plans to cover people’s at-home tests, we are further expanding Americans’ ability to get tests for free when they need them.”

PCR tests and rapid tests ordered or administered by a health provider will continue to be fully covered by insurance with no limit. Tests purchased through COVIDTests.gov will begin shipping toward the end of January.

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Founded in 1998, Econometrica is a research and management organization in Bethesda, MD, established to provide public- and private-sector clients with customized program support services. Econometrica works with multiple agencies to provide high-quality, cost-effective analyses, modeling, and economic evaluations. The company consistently receives exceptional scores from its clients and believes in three principles: technical capabilities, happy customers, and business development.

 

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The tests are part of the Biden administration’s purchase of 500 million tests last month to help tackle a record surge in infections.