- The Biden-Harris Administration Supports Rural Health Care
- Biden-Harris Administration Announces $52 Million Investment for Health Centers to Provide Care for People Reentering the Community after Incarceration
- On National Rural Health Day, Reps. Sewell and Miller Introduce Bipartisan Legislation to Support Rural Hospitals
- Terri Sewell Cosponsors Bill Reauthoring Program to Support Rural Hospitals
- HRSA: Inclusion of Terrain Factors in the Definition of Rural Area for Federal Office of Rural Health Policy Grants
- Celebrating National Rural Health Day
- DEA, HHS: Third Temporary Extension of COVID-19 Telemedicine Flexibilities for Prescription of Controlled Medications
- Talking Rural Health Care with U of M
- Public Inspection: DEA, HHS: Third Temporary Extension of COVID-19 Telemedicine Flexibilities for Prescription of Controlled Medications
- CDC Presents a Five-Year Plan for Rural Healthcare
- Kansas Faith Leaders 'Well Positioned' To Help Fill Mental Health Care Gaps in Rural Areas
- The CDC Wants More Kansas Farm Workers to Get Their Flu Shots This Season
- Study: Rural Residents More Likely to Struggle With Medical Debt
- Deaths From Cardiovascular Disease Increased Among Younger U.S Adults in Rural Areas
- VA Proposes to Eliminate Copays for Telehealth, Expand Access to Telehealth for Rural Veterans
Penn State Partnership-based Center’ to Reduce Health Disparities Launches in Hershey
With a mission to bridge the gap in health equity in rural communities, Penn State College of Medicine has launched the Center for Advancing Health Equity in Rural and Underserved Communities (CAHE-RUC). This novel, groundbreaking center is dedicated to studying, addressing and reducing health disparities affecting rural and underserved communities in Pennsylvania and beyond.
The center will initially focus on reducing cancer health disparities and improving health literacy and education in cardiovascular health, cancer and diabetes for minority, underserved and rural populations. In the long term, CAHE-RUC intends to expand patient-centered health research that is grounded in precision medicine and implementation science to address health disparities.
“Health disparities are preventable differences in the burden of disease experienced by populations that are historically and systematically disadvantaged,” said Dr. Karen Kim, dean of Penn State College of Medicine. “Our faculty, students, and staff across our departments, centers and institutes are committed to understanding mechanisms and innovative interventions to mitigate rural health disparities across the spectrum of basic, translational and clinical sciences to community-engaged research and inclusive policies.”
Like many states across the country, Pennsylvania is 70% rural, requiring a collective, multisector approach to improving the health of these vulnerable communities. The CAHE-RUC will leverage Penn State’s robust infrastructure and interdisciplinary research capacity, including the colleges, Commonwealth Campuses and the College of Medicine’s nationally recognized multidisciplinary institutes and centers focused on rural health. Additionally, the CAHE-RUC will collaborate with Penn State Health’s community health care and health equity teams to identify and address health disparities of local relevance.
The CAHE-RUC is an academic-community partnership between Penn State College of Medicine and the national non-profit community-based organization, Asian Health Coalition (AHC). The longstanding work of AHC will be instrumental in establishing the foundational model of the CAHE-RUC.
For more than 25 years, AHC has been committed to eliminating health disparities among rural and underserved communities. By utilizing a collaborative partnership approach with more than 45 different ethnic community-based organizations and academic institutions across the country, AHC has supported the development and implementation of culturally and linguistically appropriate health equity initiatives that span cancer and mental health disparities as well as a host of other chronic and infectious diseases.
“This is a pivotal moment for addressing health disparities among rural and underserved communities of Pennsylvania,” said the inaugural director of CAHE-RUC, Fornessa T. Randal, associate professor of medicine and public health sciences, associate director of Research Excellence and Health Systems Engagement (OREHE) at the Penn State Cancer Institute, and executive director of AHC. “Through our multidisciplinary and multimethodological approaches, we are committed to achieving outcomes that benefit the whole person within broad communities. Our longstanding partnerships will expand the portfolio of Penn State’s well-established research programs, centers, and institutes to offer a blueprint for addressing health equity locally and nationally.”
Enhancing health equity and promoting holistic public health approaches beyond geographic considerations has profound implications. Recognizing that health disparities are influenced by a range of social determinants, including socioeconomic status, education, social networks, and barriers to health access such as transportation and food insecurities, encourages the development of comprehensive solutions. By studying the complex interplay of health disparities, systemic change can be implemented in urban and rural settings based on need and location.
“Penn State College of Medicine remains dedicated to pioneering initiatives that have a lasting and positive impact on rural health,” said Kim. “The creation of the Center for Advancing Health Equity in Rural and Underserved Communities expands our ongoing commitment to fostering healthier and more equitable communities in Pennsylvania and beyond.”
Rural Pennsylvania Impacted the Most by Medical Debt
Medical debt is an issue that disproportionately impacts rural Pennsylvanians. Efforts to reduce medical debt have been thwarted by legislators representing those communities. Read more.
The 340B Program Reached $66 Billion in 2023—Up 23% vs. 2022: Analyzing the Numbers and HRSA’s
Reality has again failed to support the spin surrounding the 340B Drug Pricing Program. For 2023, discounted purchases under the 340B program reached a record $66.3 billion—an astounding $12.6 billion (+23.4%) higher than its 2022 counterpart. The gross-to-net difference between list prices and discounted 340B purchases also grew, to $57.8 billion (+$5.5 billion). 340B purchases are now almost 40% larger than Medicaid’s prescription drug purchases. Hospitals again accounted for 87% of 340B purchases for 2023. Purchases at every 340B covered entity type grew, despite drug prices that grew more slowly than overall inflation. Read the article for full details and our analysis.
Big Gender Gap Seen in Health Center Visits
The 2025 Medicare Open Enrollment Period has Begun
Medicare Open Enrollment runs from Oct. 15 through Dec. 7. CMS has released resources for partners to use when encouraging patients to review their Medicare plan. Key resources includes an open enrollment and social media toolkit.
Pennsylvania Rolls Out Health Insurance Transparency Report, Process of How to Appeal Claim Denials
The Pennsylvanian Insurance Department announced that the 2024 transparency in coverage report is now available online, including helpful information for consumers on what to do if their insurance company denies their claim. The report also outlines data on claims, claim denials, and appeals information for health insurers doing business in the Commonwealth.
Pennsylvania Announces Annual Update to SNAP Benefit Amounts, Changes to Income Limits
The Pennsylvania Department of Human Services (DHS) announced increases to Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) income and benefit limits in Pennsylvania, following a yearly adjustment from the USDA’s Food and Nutrition Service (FNS). DHS also announced that the replacement of stolen SNAP benefits – which DHS began offering in 2023 – has been extended to benefits stolen through December 20, 2024.
It’s Here! Open Enrollment 2025 in Pennsylvania!
Open Enrollment for Pennsylvania’s health insurance marketplace, Pennie, on November 1. For customers to get coverage for Jan. 1 coverage, they must enroll and choose a plan by December 15. Although Open Enrollment does not end until January 15 it is important customers pay their first premium payment before the first date of coverage for it to be active. Financial savings through tax credits assist with lowering premiums and coverage costs. Enrollment Assisters can also request outreach materials from
Important Notice for Physicians Renewing Licenses in Pennsylvania
The Pennsylvania Department of Health is asking physicians to provide detailed and accurate information on the self-reported survey as part of the license renewal process. Maintaining accurate and current information on providers is essential for effectively analyzing, designing, and designating areas with health care workforce shortages across Pennsylvania. The Primary Care Office relies on these data to ensure that health care resources are allocated where they are needed most. Read this notice for more information.
Apply NOW for Pennsylvania A Primary Care Loan Repayment
The Pennsylvania Primary Care loan repayment program is open for applications. All practitioner applications are due by 11:59 pm on Friday, November15, 2024. This generous loan repayment program pays primary care physicians, dentists, and psychologists up to $80,000 for full time and up to $40,000 for half time. Other practitioners – including nurse practitioners, physician assistants, dental hygienists, licensed clinical social workers, and more, can receive up to $48,000 full time and up to $24,000 for half time. Read the loan repayment fact sheet for more information.