Effective July 8, the commonwealth’s contract for healthcare emergency management transitioned from The Hospital & Healthsystem of Pennsylvania (HAP) to Philadelphia-based Public Health Management Corporation (PHMC). The Wolf administration shocked hospital executives and others last month when it canceled its just-renewed contract for healthcare emergency management with HAP. PHMC describes itself as a nonprofit public health institute that builds healthier communities through partnerships with government, foundations, businesses and community-based organizations. According to the PHMC website, the organization has more than 2,500 employees and serves close to 350,000 clients annually with more than 350 programs in 70 locations, including five FQHC locations. It is unclear where the initiative will fall under PHMC’s organizational chart but PACHC has reached out to PHMC to identify points of contact to help facilitate FQHC participation in planning activities and infrastructure. Health Secretary Levine has stated that a “more inclusive environment for all members of our health care system through our health-care coalitions” is a goal of the change. Read more.
