Rural Health Information Hub Latest News

Results from a 50-State Medicaid Budget Survey Released

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Kaiser Family Foundation (KFF) released findings from the 20th annual budget survey of Medicaid officials in all 50 states and the District of Columbia. The survey was conducted by KFF and Health Management Associates (HMA) in collaboration with the National Association of Medicaid Directors (NAMD). Findings from this year’s budget survey policy report primarily focus on Medicaid policy changes planned for FY 2021, particularly those related to the COVID-19 pandemic. Key areas of focus include eligibility and enrollment, provider rates and taxes, delivery systems, long-term services and supports, benefits and telehealth, and pharmacy cost containment. The full report is available here.

CDC Finds Nearly 300,000 “Excess Deaths” in the U.S. Amid Pandemic and 25- to 44-Year-Olds Hit Hard

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The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that COVID-19 has taken a disproportionate toll on Latinos and Blacks, as previous analyses have noted. But the CDC also found, surprisingly, that it has struck 25- to 44-year-olds very hard: Their “excess death” rate is up 26.5 percent over previous years, the largest change for any age group. It is not clear whether that spike is caused by the shift in COVID-19 deaths toward younger people between May and August or deaths from other causes, the CDC said. “Excess deaths” is a calculation by researchers of the number of deaths overall during a particular period compared to how many people die during the stretch in a normal year. It is an important calculation because some people who die might never have been tested for the disease, for example, and if people die at home without receiving medical care, they might not make it into the confirmed data. In the most updated count to date, CDC researchers found that nearly 300,000 more people in the United States died from late January to early October this year compared to the average number of people who died in recent years.

NEW! CRNP Prescriptive Authority Applications Online Only

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On Sept. 24, 2020, the Pennsylvania State Board of Nursing (SBN) announced that the application for prescriptive authority approval for certified registered nurse practitioners (CRNPs) will need to be submitted online via the Pennsylvania Licensing System (PALS). Paper applications for prescriptive authority approval will not be accepted (Note: PACHC is working to confirm effective date). The change applies to both Initial applications for CRNP Prescriptive Authority ($95.00 fee) as well as additional applications for CRNP Prescriptive Authority ($45.00 fee). For more information on where to apply online, who can complete the application, the process to make changes to collaborative agreement substitute physicians, collaborating physician sign-off on changes, and more, contact Andrea Wandling, PACHC Manager, Member Relations and Human Resources.

Congressional Committee Leaders Seek Ideas on How to Improve 340B

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Two retiring GOP congressional committee leaders invited 340B stakeholders to submit ideas on how Congress could improve the 340B program. Sen. Lamar Alexander (R-Tenn.) and Rep. Greg Walden (R-Ore.) said “changes are needed and long overdue,” and Congress and program participants “must be open to updating 340B.” Comments are due by Oct. 30. Click here for sample comments. 340B stakeholders are asked to send their comments and recommendations to 340B@help.senate.gov and 340B@mail.house.gov. Read more.

Health Centers Sue HHS Over Drug Company Denials of 340B Pricing

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The National Association of Community Health Centers (NACHC) has filed suit in response to recent moves by drug manufacturers to dismantle the federal 340B drug discount program that health centers and the patients they serve count on. The suit seeks to compel the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to implement a long-delayed dispute resolution process that would allow health centers to act against drug companies that are violating the 340B statute and have abruptly stopped shipping discounted drugs to health centers’ contracted pharmacies. Across the country, millions of lives are at stake and health center operations and budgets face possible devastation amid an overwhelming public health pandemic. NACHC issued a news release with additional information.

Department of Health Announces Week-Two Rapid Antigen Test Card Distributions 

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The Wolf Administration this week began distribution of the second allotment of COVID-19 antigen test kits provided by the federal government to Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments (CLIA)-certified institutions in Berks, Huntingdon, Union and Westmoreland counties. Last week 70,840 tests were distributed to 55 facilities in Bradford, Centre, Lebanon, Montour, Northumberland, Schuylkill and Snyder counties. Counties expected to receive tests next week include Blair, Lackawanna, Luzerne, Tioga, Venango and Wyoming. On October 15, the Secretary of Health issued an Order to healthcare providers and facilities reinforcing that all antigen test results, both positive and negative, are required to be reported to the Department of Health.