CMS is working to expand access to catastrophic health coverage in the Federally-facilitated Exchange (FFE) and State-based Exchanges (SBE) through additional hardship exemption guidance. This was designed to help consumers access coverage because of the premium increases anticipated for the 2026 plan year.

Read the Guidance.

Pennsylvania already has exemptions processed by CMS and is still evaluating the guidance. Currently, customers who have a hardship exemption under the rules can enter their hardship exemption number in their Pennie application to access catastrophic plans so no system changes will be needed. As a note Advance Premium Tax Credits do not apply to catastrophic plans so although the guidance links consumers to information referencing customers above 250% of FPL being able to receive an exemption, they are still ineligible for Cost Sharing Reductions.

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Kennedy published an op-ed revealing his priorities for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, with an emphasis on restoring the CDC’s focus on infectious disease, investing in innovation, and rebuilding trust through integrity and transparency. These goals are outlined to be achieved through six priorities:

• Protect from threats: Detect and defeat infectious diseases through enhanced respiratory-disease surveillance and a Biothreat Radar powered by cutting-edge molecular tools.
• Build infrastructure:Strengthen global and domestic systems to predict, track, and respond to dangerous exposures and outbreaks.
• Modernize systems:Upgrade data, laboratories, and epidemiology to meet 21st-century threats.
• Invest in workforce:Rebuild the proud tradition of disease detectives, training epidemiologists at home and abroad.
• Enhance scientific rigor:Apply gold-standard science to every recommendation, ensuring America leads the world in safe, effective vaccines and trusted guidance.
• Empower states and communities: Return to the original mission of supporting state and local health departments on the front lines of outbreaks.

CMS published a notification on adjustments in payments for certain claims for Rural Health Clinic (RHC) and Federal Qualified Health Center (FQHC) care coordination services that were incorrectly paid the national Physician Fee Schedule non-facility payment rate, adjusted for geographic differences. CMS clarified that these services should not be geographically adjusted. The Medicare Administrative Contractors will adjust claims for these services with dates of service on or after January 1, 2025.

HHS has updated its standard Grant Policy Statement (GPS). As with the last two updates, this latest version of the GPS, contains significant changes but was released without any fanfare. The changes apply to all “awards and award modifications that add funding made on or after Oct. 1, 2025. This includes supplements to awards, competing and non-competing continuations.” They also “flow down to subrecipients.”

Key policy changes in the new GPS include:

• Completing the Uniform Guidance transition: These updates complete the transition of HHS grants from the HHS-specific Uniform Guidance (located at the old 45 CFR Part 75) to the Uniform Guidance used by most other Federal agencies, at 2 CFR 200. (There are now also HHS-specific rules at 2 CFR 300.)
• Termination for convenience: The GPS now states that a grant can be terminated if it “no longer effectuates the program goals or agency priorities” and that such decisions cannot be appealed.
• Tighter rules around:
• Budget revisions: Grantees must now get prior approval if they want to submit for cumulative budget revisions “expected to be more than 10% of the total budget amount approved by the agency, including cost share.” This replaces the prior 25% threshold of total approved direct costs.
• No-cost extensions must be requested at least 10 days “prior to the end of the budget period in the last year of the period of performance.”
• Title IX programs and “gender ideology”: Grantees that administer educational programs that are subject to Title IX (e.g., THCGME programs) must comply with the Executive Order on Defending Women from Gender Ideology Extremism, which implies that discrimination based on gender identity is not illegal. PCAs and CHCs have been seeing this language appear in Terms on the NOAs starting early this summer.

For more information on these GPS changes, see this blog post from Feldesman LLP.

On September 9, the Make America Healthy Again (MAHA) Commission, chaired by U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., released the Make Our Children Healthy Again Strategy, a plan with more than 120 initiatives intended to address America’s childhood chronic disease epidemic.

Click here to watch the announcement.

Pre-applications are due December 5, 2025, for funding through ARC’s ARISE Initiative. 

The Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC) issued a notice of solicitation of applications (NOSA) for its Appalachian Regional Initiative for Stronger Economies (ARISE). ARISE is ARC’s multi-state funding opportunity that aims to drive large-scale, regional economic transformation through collaborative projects.

Successful ARISE projects must involve at least two Appalachian states and support regional business and industry, as well as develop new opportunities across multiple economic sectors.

To date, ARISE investments are projected to have created or retained over 22,300 jobs and prepared nearly 16,000 workers and students for new opportunities in broadband development, workforce education and manufacturing across the region’s 13 states.

“Collaboration is an integral part of creating a robust economic future for the entire Appalachian region,” said ARC Federal Co-Chair Gayle Manchin. “By encouraging our states to work together as one, united Appalachia, ARC’s ARISE Initiative supports projects that are designed to result in transformative outcomes for both the Appalachian states and strengthening of the entire region.”

Key dates for the fiscal year (FY) 2025 ARISE application process include:

• September 25, 2025 (11:00 a.m. ET) – Application process webinar
• October 28, 2025 (11:00 a.m. ET) – Multi-state project development webinar
• December 5, 2025 (5:00 p.m. ET) – Pre-applications due
• May 15, 2026 (5:00 p.m. ET) – If invited, full grant applications due
• Summer 2026 – Awards announced

Since ARISE was established in 2022, ARC has invested $179.5 million in 68 projects to support the development of new economic opportunities across all 13 Appalachian states.

Learn more about ARC’s ARISE Initiative, the NOSA and how to apply.

On September 4, the the Pennsylvania Broadband Development Authority (PBDA) submitted its Draft BEAD Final Proposal to the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA). This marks a major step toward achieving universal broadband access in the Commonwealth.

The proposal reflects PBDA’s review of applications submitted for BEAD funding and identifies provisionally selected projects for NTIA’s consideration. Together, these projects represent a diverse mix of technologies to reach every remaining unserved/underserved location in Pennsylvania.

At A Glance:

• 107 projects 
• $791 million in funds  
• Service to 130,000  eligible locations
• Technology mix: 
  • 65% Fiber
  • 4% Hybrid-fiber coaxial
  • 13% Fixed wireless
  • 8% Low Earth Orbit (LEO) satellite

What’s Next?

NTIA will review the Draft Final Proposal over the next 90 days. All provisional selections remain subject to NTIA approval, and adjustments may occur during review. Final selections will determine the projects that move forward to close Pennsylvania’s digital divide.

Resources

• PA Broadband Map: Updated with details on provisionally selected project locations
• NTIA guidance: Obligations for Subgrantees Deploying Network Projects

As September marks National Preparedness Month, it’s a timely reminder to focus on readiness and enhance our preparedness strategies. By taking proactive steps now, we can better safeguard ourselves and our communities against future emergencies.

Preparedness Starts at Home – and it begins with a simple conversation. The month is a great time to take small steps that make a big difference in being prepared. While discussing potential emergencies can feel challenging, these conversations are the foundation of family safety and readiness.

Build your preparedness at your own pace:

• Choose a time when everyone is calm and relaxed for more effective discussions
• Share the steps you’ve already taken to prepare and invite questions
• Consider spreading discussions over multiple sessions to create a comfortable environment
• Use this time to create an Emergency Supply List using resources available in English and Additional Languages

Health Coverage in Emergencies: What You Need to Know
Medicare

• Original Medicare: Visit any doctor or hospital that accepts Medicare, even outside your area
• Medicare Advantage Plans: Contact your plan about accessing out-of-network providers during emergencies

Prescription Medications: Your Medicare drug plan can help with:

• Finding nearby in-network pharmacies
• Replacing lost or damaged medications
• Accessing out-of-network pharmacies when necessary
• Obtaining 60-90 day supplies for extended situations

Specialized Services:

• Dialysis: Contact your ESRD Network
• Cancer Treatment: Call National Cancer Institute at 1-800-4-CANCER
• Medical Equipment: Medicare may cover repair/replacement of damaged equipment through approved suppliers

Medicaid Coverage

• Each state Medicaid and CHIP program has its own provider network. Contact your state for a list of providers.

Marketplace Plans

• Check Coverage: Understand how your plan responds to emergency situations
• Understand Eligibility: Be aware of any changes during emergencies
• Emergency Enrollment: Learn about special enrollment periods for plan changes

Contact Information

• General Medicare Questions: 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227)
• TTY Users: 1-877-486-2048
• Medicare.gov
• Medicaid.gov
• Healthcare.gov
• Regional Assistance (Region 3 – Delaware, District of Columbia, Maryland, Pennsylvania, Virginia, West Virginia): ROPHIORA@cms.hhs.gov

Additional Resources

For detailed guidance, visit:

• Getting Care in a Disaster or Emergency
• Getting Care & Drugs in a Disaster or Emergency Fact Sheet
• CMS Emergency Preparedness and Response Operations
• Preparedness and Response Toolkit for State Medicaid and CHIP Agencies in the Event of a Public Health Emergency or Disaster
• Marketplace: Getting Emergency Care