- Senator Baldwin Introduces HSHS Act to Protect Communities from Hospital Closures
- What to Know about Smoke, Heat and Health
- Tribal Partnership With UW-Madison Combines Ag Research With Indigenous Food Knowledge
- The Rewards of Working as Rural Docs
- Request for Information (RFI): Evolving the Network of the National Library of Medicine
- Dental Therapists, Who Can Fill Cavities and Check Teeth, Get the OK in More States
- Colorectal Cancer Is Rising among Younger Adults. Some States Want to Boost Awareness.
- Rural Hospitals Built During Baby Boom Now Face Baby Bust
- Food Stamps Go Further in Rural Areas — Until You Add Transportation Costs
- CMS Announces Resources and Flexibilities to Assist with the Public Health Emergency in the State of Texas
- CMS Proposes New Payments for Digital Health Under CY2025 PFS Draft Rule
- Improving Public Health by Strengthening Community Infrastructure
- Biden Harris Administration Proposes Policies to Reduce Maternal Mortality, Advance Health Equity, and Support Underserved Communities
- Nearly Half of U.S. Counties Don't Have a Single Cardiologist
- Randolph County, Ill. Turns Unused Part of Nursing Home Into State-Of-The-Art Behavioral Health Center
Medicaid and CHIP: Help Keep Children and Families Covered
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) is asking for help to prevent children and families from losing Medicaid or Children’s Health Insurance Program coverage as a result of the end of the Federal Public Health Emergency.
Ways Your Organization Can Help
- Partner with your State Medicaid agency to spread the word about renewals. You can find contact information on your State Medicaid agencies here.
- Use CMS’s Communications Toolkit, available in multiple languages, including English and Spanish.
- Promote social media content and graphics pulled from CMS’s toolkit on your social media platforms, including Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, etc.
- Share HHS Secretary Xavier Becerra’s video (in English and Spanish) on Medicaid renewals across your social media channels.
Visit CMS’s website for more resources.
Notice of Changes to Eligible Area Maps for USDA Rural Development Housing Programs
USDA Rural Development has completed its 2020 decennial United States census review for all areas under its jurisdiction to identify areas that no longer qualify as rural for USDA Rural Housing programs. Based on the review of the areas within the state of Pennsylvania, using 2020 US census data, and rural area guidance located in Handbook HB-1-3550, Chapter 5, the rural eligibility designation has changed for the following areas:
Areas whose rural eligibility designations is changing from ineligible to eligible (these areas now qualify as rural for USDA Housing Programs):
- Williamsport, Lycoming County, – Minor line adjustments in the area above Grampian Hills to make this area eligible.
Areas whose rural eligibility designations is changing from eligible to ineligible (these areas no longer qualify as rural for USDA Housing Programs):
- Bethlehem, Northampton and Leigh Counties – Expansion of the ineligible areas around the Allentown City limits to include all annexed areas since 1990 with a population of over 35,000.
- Weigelstown, York County, –Expansion of the ineligible areas around the city limits to include all annexed areas since 1990
- Franklin Park, Allegheny County Expansion of the ineligible areas around the Pittsburgh City limits to include all annexed areas since 1990
- Monroeville, Allegheny County Expansion of the ineligible areas around the Pittsburg City limits to include all annexed areas since 1990
Changes become effective October 1, 2023.
The updated rural area map can now be viewed on our eligibility website. Users will need to click on the program, for example: “Single Family Housing Direct”, and then click on “Proposed Eligibility Areas” from the menu options.
For a full list of changes, additional details, or questions about specific changes, please contact the Harrisburg State Office, Rural Development Housing Program Staff at 717-237-2186.
U.S. Census Bureau Updates
Census Bureau Highlight: Household Pulse Survey
The U.S. Census Bureau, in collaboration with multiple federal agencies, is in a unique position to produce data on the social and economic effects of coronavirus on American households. The Household Pulse Survey was designed to deploy quickly and efficiently, collecting data to measure household experiences during the coronavirus pandemic. It has evolved to include content on other emergent social and economic issues facing households. Data will be disseminated in near real-time to inform federal and state action. You can access the most recent Household Pulse Survey data tables here.
Census Bureau Updates
Census Bureau Releases Schedule for Income, Poverty and Health Insurance Statistics and American Community Survey (ACS) Estimates
- On Tuesday, September 12, 2023, Income, Poverty and Health Insurance statistics from the Current Population Survey (CPS) Annual Social and Economic Supplement (ASEC) will be released.
- On Thursday September 14, 2023, 2022 ACS 1-year estimates will be released, which will include statistics on numerous demographic, social, economic and housing characteristics
- Click here for more details and to view the complete release schedule.
Census Bureau to Establish 2030 Census Advisory Committee
The Census Bureau invites the public to nominate panel members representing stakeholder organizations, groups, interests and viewpoints to the 2030 Census Advisory Committee. This opportunity is another way the Census Bureau is engaging with diverse voices as it prepares for the next decennial census and seeks external perspectives on its plans to address census undercounts, communicate with different communities and collect census information in an easy and efficient way. Click here to learn more.
Census Bureau Releases 2022 Census of Governments: Organization Data
The U.S. Census Bureau released the official count of state and local governments. Data are presented by characteristics such as government type, state, population size groups, and function. The data also provide detailed characteristics of school systems, that include independent school districts and dependent school systems. You can learn more about the Census of Governments in this recent podcast and access the data here.
Pennsylvania Primary Care Career Events: Save the Dates!
The Pennsylvania Primary Care Career Center at the Pennsylvania Association for Community Health Centers has set the dates for its fall career events. Registration information will be available soon.
Fall Frontline Career Events will take place at three Harrisburg Area Community College campuses from 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM. The cost is $50 per event. Contact Gillian Brooks for more information.
Dates and locations are:
- September 18, Lancaster
- October 23, Gettysburg
- November 6, York
Career Networking Events are targeted at physicians, dentists, and other providers. They will run from 5:30 to 7:30 pm. The cost is $100 for one event, $175 for two events, and $75 for any additional events. Contact Al Williams for more information.
Dates and locations are:
- October 18, Hershey
- November 1, Erie
- November 2, Pittsburgh
- November 9, Scranton
New ADA Guidelines Released for Treating Dental Pain in Kids
New guidelines concerning treating short-team dental pain in children were released by the American Dental Association (ADA) after being developed by the ADA Science & Research Institute in Chicago, the University of Pittsburgh School of Dental Medicine, and the Center for Integrative Global Oral Health at the University of Pennsylvania School of Dental Medicine. Children having short-term dental pain from extractions or toothache should not be prescribed opioids but rather manage those aches with over-the-counter ibuprofen and/or acetaminophen.
The guidelines align with U.S. Food and Drug Administration recommendations from 2017, which advised against the use of codeine and tramadol in children under age 12.
Pennsylvania Human Services Agency Accepting Comments for Medical Assistance Program Fee Schedule Revisions
The Pennsylvania Department of Human Services issued Medical Assistance Program Fee Schedule Revisions; 2023 Healthcare Common Procedure Coding System Updates; Fee Adjustments; Prior Authorization Requirements update in the Pennsylvania Bulletin. These changes are effective for dates of service on and after September 5th, 2023. The revisions include an update for topical fluoride varnish service and silver diamine fluoride application. Written comments can be sent to the Department of Human Services, Office of Medical Assistance Programs, c/o Regulations Coordinator, P.O. Box 2675, Harrisburg, PA 17120 or RA-PWMAProgComments@ pa.gov. Comments received within 30 days will be reviewed and considered for any subsequent
revisions to the MA Program Fee Schedule.
HHS Selects the First Drugs for Medicare Drug Price Negotiation
For the first time, Medicare will be able to negotiate prices directly with drug companies, lowering prices on some of the costliest prescription drugs.
For the first time, thanks to President Biden’s Inflation Reduction Act – the historic law lowering health care costs – Medicare is able to negotiate the prices of prescription drugs. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), through the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), announced the first 10 drugs covered under Medicare Part D selected for negotiation. The negotiations with participating drug companies will occur in 2023 and 2024, and any negotiated prices will become effective beginning in 2026. Medicare enrollees taking the 10 drugs covered under Part D selected for negotiation paid a total of $3.4 billion in out-of-pocket costs in 2022 for these drugs.
The Biden-Harris Administration has made lowering prescription drug costs and improving access to innovative therapies a key priority. Alongside other provisions in the new law that increase the affordability of health care and prescription drugs, allowing Medicare to negotiate prescription drug prices will strengthen the program’s ability to serve people with Medicare now and for generations to come. The negotiation process will consider the selected drug’s clinical benefit, the extent to which it fulfills an unmet medical need, and its impact on people who rely on Medicare, among other considerations, such as costs associated with research and development as well as production and distribution for selected drugs. As a result of negotiations, people with Medicare will have access to innovative, life-saving treatments at lower costs to Medicare.
The selected drug list for the first round of negotiation is:
- Eliquis
- Jardiance
- Xarelto
- Januvia
- Farxiga
- Entresto
- Enbrel
- Imbruvica
- Stelara
- Fiasp; Fiasp FlexTouch; Fiasp PenFill; NovoLog; NovoLog FlexPen; NovoLog PenFill
These selected drugs accounted for $50.5 billion in total Part D gross covered prescription drug costs, or about 20%, of total Part D gross covered prescription drug costs between June 1, 2022 and May 31, 2023, which is the time period used to determine which drugs were eligible for negotiation. CMS will publish any agreed-upon negotiated prices for the selected drugs by September 1, 2024; those prices will come into effect starting January 1, 2026. In future years, CMS will select for negotiation up to 15 more drugs covered under Part D for 2027, up to 15 more drugs for 2028 (including drugs covered under Part B and Part D), and up to 20 more drugs for each year after that, as outlined in the Inflation Reduction Act.
View a fact sheet from the Office of the Assistant Secretary for Planning and Evaluation (ASPE) at: https://aspe.hhs.gov/reports/aspe-ira-drug-negotiation-fact-sheet.
View a CMS fact sheet on the drugs selected for the Medicare Drug Price Negotiation Program at: https://www.cms.gov/files/document/fact-sheet-medicare-selected-drug-negotiation-list-ipay-2026.pdf – PDF.
More information on the Medicare Drug Price Negotiation Program is available at https://www.cms.gov/inflation-reduction-act-and-medicare/medicare-drug-price-negotiation.
Research Spotlight: New Study Shows Students’ Experiences Varied during the COVID-19 Pandemic
Researchers from the University of California released a paper this month examining the disparate impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on school students. The pandemic exacerbated longstanding educational inequities in student academic performance and mental health outcomes based on race, ethnicity, and socioeconomic status.
Data from students across the United States during the 2020-21 school year shows:
- Pre-existing achievement gaps in reading and math widened notability for students of color and those from high-poverty school districts.
- Absenteeism and grade retention increased at higher rates for Black and Hispanic students, who were more likely to attend schools negatively impacted by the transition to remote learning.
- School closures were more typical in underserved communities, and low-income families had limited access to traditional in-person instruction and high-quality remote learning experiences.
- The pandemic led to widespread increases in fear, anxiety, depression, loneliness, and behavioral issues for students of all ages, regardless of race, ethnicity, or socioeconomic status.
- School engagement rates were highest among students from households with higher incomes and parental education levels.
Black and Hispanic students were more likely than White students to feel very or extremely worried about the pandemic. They reported disproportionately high rates of COVID-related stress despite their caregivers being less likely than white caregivers to report concerns about their children’s mental health in the wake of school closures.
Universal Free Breakfast Helps School-Aged Children Succeed
Each day, families struggle with food security and the ability to provide their children with healthy meals that fuel their minds and bodies. Lack of nutrient-rich food impacts child development, overall health outcomes, mental and behavioral health and academic achievement, performance, and participation. Free school breakfast has been one initiative provided to Pennsylvania school-aged children to combat child hunger and ensure students succeed.
For the first time, all Pennsylvania public school students heading back to school this month will be eligible to receive a free breakfast regardless of income. The 2023-24 budget includes a $46.5 million increase to provide universal free breakfast to Pennsylvania’s 1.7 million public school students.
Our fact sheet shows the benefits of free school breakfast, including:
- Increasing access to nutritious meals and building healthy eating habits.
- Improving academic performance, including concentration, memory, comprehension, and learning, while reducing hunger-related behavioral problems.
- Reducing the stigma associated with students who access free or reduced meals compared to their peers.
The state budget also expands free lunch to 22,000 eligible students for reduced-price lunch. While universal free breakfast and expanded free lunch are a great first step for Pennsylvania students, PPC advocates for expanding free lunch to all students because no child should go hungry, and no parent should worry about feeding their child.
Pennsylvania Maternal Health State and County Fact Sheets Released
Maternal health ensures mothers and birthing parents are healthy and their children have the best start possible. Research shows healthy mothers are more likely to raise healthy babies. Unfortunately, the U.S. has the highest maternal mortality rate among developed countries, and racial disparities plague the health care system for Black and Brown women.
Our first-ever maternal health county fact sheets show each county’s overall perinatal vulnerability index (PVI). The PVI uses data across five domains: behavioral health, environmental context, health care availability, pregnancy and birth outcomes, and social stratification. The fact sheets also highlight data about prenatal care and the percentage of low birth weight births.
In 2020, there were over 130,000 total births across Pennsylvania. Yet, only 13 counties had moderate access to care, and six counties were considered maternity care deserts, based on the March of Dimes Maternity Care Deserts Report (2022).
Research shows low birth weight is a strong indicator of maternal health, and the rate increased nationally by 4% since 2014. When children are born with low birth weight, there is an increase in the risk for future health and developmental issues.
Racial disparities limit access to maternal health care and can impact the health of both mother and child:
- The rate of non-Hispanic Black women giving birth to children with low birth weight is 14.5% compared to 6.8% of White women and almost double the state rate of 8.3% across all races.
- When comparing counties, the rate of low birth weight among Black women ranged from 22.9% in Lebanon County to 7.5% in Bucks County.
Thriving PA aims for women and birth parents to have access to the health resources needed for a healthy pregnancy and delivery. Maternal health is necessary for raising healthy children, and more attention is needed to make maternal health care more accessible, especially for Black and Brown women who have a higher risk of poor birth outcomes and maternal mortality and morbidity.