A survey by Gallup and West Health showed that accessing health care may be easier for residents in some states due to low costs, high rates of health insurance coverage and an abundance of health care providers. The survey found that Pennsylvania has the sixth highest number of primary care physicians per 10,000 residents (19.78) and the sixth highest number of specialist physicians per 10,000 residents (22.01). Read more.

A new legislative study urges state officials in Pennsylvania to take a comprehensive look at the impact of housing on public health and the way that housing services under the Medical Assistance (MA) program address health care. The study by the Legislative Budget and Finance Committee (LBFC) is part of a growing emphasis on the issue of housing availability and affordability in Pennsylvania. Gov. Josh Shapiro issued an executive order last month directing the state Department of Community and Economic Development to work with groups to deliver a Housing Action Program within one year. Among the study’s recommendations are that the Governor’s Office and General Assembly convene a working group to address housing and health issues, including use of resources. It also recommended that the state Department of Human Services (DHS) develop more data on MA housing program health impacts and give counties more flexibility to increase the maximum fee allowed by law for affordable housing trust funds. Under a 1992 state law, counties have the option to raise revenue from recording fees on deeds and mortgages and establish trust funds for affordable housing.

In 2011, Tennessee-based company Community Health Systems operating locally as Commonwealth Health bought several local hospitals, including Tunkhannock’s Tyler Memorial. After 10 years of operation under Commonwealth Health, inpatient and surgical care ended in 2021, with emergency services coming to a halt in 2022. When the Tunkhannock hospital closed, community leaders stepped up to turn the closed hospital into a community health hub. A local family partnered with 18 organizations to offer residents accessible healthcare in the wake of the closure. The Wright Center is one of 18 partners operating within the new center. President and CEO Dr. Linda Thomas-Hemak saw the closure as part of an unfortunate trend of healthcare not centering around community needs. Click here to learn more.

The US Census Bureau has published the 2023 American Community Survey data on the uninsured in PA for 2022 and 2023 by county, population and percentage. PA did not see a significant change in the uninsured rate among non-elderly adults or public coverage rates among non-elderly adults from 2022 to 2023 based on the data. Non-elderly adults accessing private coverage saw a significant decrease. The same findings were true of children 0-18. Access more data here. 

The Pennsylvania Insurance Department announced the Affordable Care Act Health Insurance Rates offered on Pennie for 2025 for the individual and small group market. It is estimated that Pennsylvanians will save approximately $77.2 million in health insurance premiums. These rates reflect a statewide average increase of 6% for the individual market and a 7.6% increase for the small group market. While the majority of insurers will remain in the Pennie market, Cigna will exit for the 2025 enrollment period and UPMC will cease offering Pennie plans in Rating Area 6 consisting of Union, Snyder, Northumberland, Montour, Columbia, Centre, Mifflin, and Rating Area 7 which includes Adams, York, Lancaster, Berks, Lehigh, and Northampton. View the Rating Area Map.

In keeping with the Shapiro Administration’s commitment to eliminating barriers to licensure for qualified Pennsylvania workers and businesses, Secretary of the Commonwealth Al Schmidt today announced dramatic reductions in processing times for multiple professional and occupational licenses. The chart in the link below compares processing times from January 2023 and September 2024 for complete license applications for three categories of businesses and five professions. The three healthcare professions that were highlighted were: pharmacists, who saw their initial application by exam reduced from 26 days to 1 day; MD (U.S.-educated) were reduced from 43 days to 2 days; and physical therapists were reduced from 31 days to 2 days. Click here to learn more.

The Department of Health and Human Services’ (HHS) Office of Inspector General (OIG) released a report on Medicare and Medicaid enrollees’ access to medications for opioid use disorder (MOUD). Nearly 1 in 5 U.S. counties lack opioid treatment programs or any office-based providers of buprenorphine, a lifesaving MOUD. Rural areas are among the highest need areas that lack opioid treatment programs. Substance use and misuse issues are exacerbated by several unique challenges for rural communities. This includes behavioral health and detoxification services that are not as readily available, treatment access for substance use disorder may require travel long distances to access services, lack of education and resources to provide these services, and the disproportionate impact on rural communities by social determinants of health.

The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania is acting against the state’s high maternal mortality rate through the development of a statewide Maternal Health Strategic Plan. They are looking to learn more about what people experience and what needs they have before, during, and after a pregnancy, or when receiving maternal health care such as check-ups and preventive services. This survey takes approximately 10-15 minutes to complete, and all questions are optional. The survey closes on November 4. Click here to take the survey.