The Pennsylvania State Board of Medicine finalized the regulations to implement the Physician Assistant modernization bills, Act 78 of 2021 and Act 79 of 2021. The Acts removed unnecessary restrictions on Physician Assistants (PAs), placed decision making with PAs and supervising physician(s), placed a permanent PA representative on the Medical and Osteopathic Boards, allowed the filing of written agreements without needing prior approval of written agreement (states that already allow this do not show an increase in malpractice/reportable events), removed the 100 percent countersignature requirement and allowed supervising physicians to determine need for countersignature, and aligned the supervision requirements under the Medical Board and Osteopathic Board. A summary of the changes in the Medical and Osteopathic Practice Acts after passage of SB 397 and 398 is available on the Pennsylvania Society of Physician Assistants (PSPA) website. Click here for the final rulemaking on IRRC’s website.

The US Food & Drug Administration (FDA) posted information on the flu vaccine composition for the 2025-2026 US flu season. The agency, in consultation with federal partners, reviewed the available data and made its recommendations to manufacturers of the US-licensed influenza vaccines for the production of updated vaccines for the 2025-2026 flu season. Based on this timing, the agency does not anticipate any impact on vaccine supply or timing of availability.

The Trump administration is defending a Biden-era decision to reject drug manufacturer plans that would allow them to discount medicines through a rebate rather than up front under a federal drug discount program. HRSA on Monday doubled down on its argument that implementing a rebate model is inconsistent with the 340B statute and requires approval from the HHS secretary. The agency, however, signaled that it could be open to further consideration of the plan.

The Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) Innovation Center announced changes to its model portfolio. The Primary Care First and the Making Care Primary models, running through 2026 and 2034 respectively, will now end early on Dec. 31, 2025. Additionally, CMS may reduce the size of the Integrated Care for Kids model and will no longer move forward with the Medicare $2 Drug List and the Accelerating Clinical Evidence Model. Participants involved in these models should expect follow-up communications from CMS on the close-out process. This does not impact the Aledade ACO.

Senate Republican leaders have asked the Trump administration to rescind an 1115 Medicaid waiver that would expand social services for vulnerable populations, including low-income families, chronically homeless individuals, and people being released from incarceration. Republicans believe the added services in the waivers — approved last year under the Biden administration, but not yet implemented — will balloon Pennsylvania’s Medicaid costs. In response, Gov. Josh Shapiro’s administration has scaled back implementation plans.

US Senators worked down to the wire to avoid a midnight funding lapse in Washington DC last week. Despite widespread Democratic criticism of the House’s six month “Continuing Resolution” (CR), a number of Democrats joined their Republican colleagues and voted to pass the legislation. The CR provides both mandatory and discretionary funding at the FY24 levels for Section 330, the National Health Service Corps, and Teaching Health Centers, through Sept. 30, 2025.

The PBDA is hosting two webinars in anticipation of opening the second round of the Digital Connectivity Technology Program (DCTP). Each webinar will provide an overview of the program, review FAQs, and will implement breakout sessions focusing on libraries, non-profits, workforce, and education. Each breakout session will include an awardee from Round One of the program who will provide background on their project and will highlight the key elements that contributed to their success.

You can find additional details for each webinar, including registration, by clicking the links below. Please note that content covered at each session will be the same, however, questions and dialogue may differ. PBDA will be recording these sessions to post as resources on our website.

• Tuesday, March 25, 2025
• Wednesday, April 2, 2025

The Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance Agency (PHEAA) just opened a new application period for Grow PA scholarship grants. This program helps in-state students pay for school and builds the workforce in Pennsylvania for in-demand occupations. The Grow PA Grant Program provides grants with a maximum award $5,000 per year and students can receive funds for a maximum of four academic years. After graduation, students must commit to live and work in Pennsylvania, within an in-demand occupation, for a number of years equal to the number of years in which they received the grant. These student grants are for the 2025-26 academic year and will be offered on a first-come, first-served basis.

Click here for more information.