This week, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) distributed approximately $15 billion in Provider Relief Funds (PRF) to eligible Medicaid and Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) providers that participate in state Medicaid and CHIP programs and have not received a previous payment from the Provider Relief Fund General Allocation. Most of these providers are Medicaid-only providers, meaning that Medicaid is their only source of reimbursement. Although few if any FQHCs are likely to qualify for this latest PRF funding, most FQHCs have already received at least one direct deposit from the PRF. There is $50 billion remaining in the fund and NACHC this week sent a letter to HHS Sec. Azar urging that a portion of this funding go to health centers and particularly to health centers with more than 500 employees (who were ineligible for a Paycheck Protection Program loan) and look-alikes, that only qualified for one of the three FQHC COVID-19 funding streams from HRSA.

Last week, Gov. Tom Wolf announced the creation of the Commonwealth Civilian Coronavirus Corps, a public service initiative that will support efforts this fall to increase testing and contact tracing and provide critical new job opportunities in the public health sector. As announced by the Administration, the Corps will also provide a unique opportunity for Pennsylvania to recruit and train COVID-19-impacted dislocated and unemployed workers into public service for contact tracing roles, which would help address Pennsylvania’s health and economic needs. The goals/responsibilities of this task force include:

• Partnering with local public health agencies, community organizations and the nonprofit community to expand Pennsylvania’s existing testing and contract tracing initiatives
• Leveraging additional resources to fund testing and contact tracing initiatives
• Exploring creative ways to recruit experienced Pennsylvanians with health care and public health experience to support this initiative
• Coordinating existing resources deployed by the commonwealth, including community health nurses and county health departments who are currently conducting testing and contact tracing throughout the state
• Engaging partners in the workforce development system, existing allied health training program and AmeriCorps programs to build and strengthen a public health workforce across the commonwealth
• Leveraging existing workforce development resources to recruit, train, and connect the public health workforce with employment opportunities
• Engaging public health and healthcare employers to connect trained workers with long-term career opportunities

The Wolf Administration announced it has selected Public Health Management Corporation (PHMC) of Philadelphia as its health care emergency preparedness vendor, effective July 8, 2020. The agreement is part of the Department of Health’s annual federal health preparedness grant. Pennsylvania Department of Health Secretary Dr. Rachel Levine said, “We are looking forward to the opportunity to expand our existing hospital preparedness program, as well as creating an inclusive environment for all members of our health care system through our health care coalitions.” Health Care Coalitions (HCC):

• Are a formal collaboration among healthcare organizations and public and private partners that are organized to prepare for, respond to and recover from an emergency, mass casualty or catastrophic event
• Include the key components of comprehensive healthcare membership, regional presence developed within states/territories to cover larger geographic areas and preparedness capability operationalization through plans, exercises, trainings, response and after-action reports

The Hospital and Healthsystem of Pennsylvania (HAP) previously held the contract. Click here to read the Department of Health’s announcement. As PACHC learns more about changes under the new vendor the PA Association of Community Health Centers will make health centers aware.

The state House and Senate passed HR 836, a concurrent resolution, terminating the Proclamation of Disaster Emergency issued by the Governor. The House and Senate believe they do not need the Governor’s approval to end the proclamation. In response, Gov. Wolf issued a press release outlining the impact ending the Emergency Proclamation would have on the state, including:

• Pennsylvania will be the first and only state in the United States without an active disaster emergency related to the COVID-19 pandemic
• Telehealth and other health care services provided by out-of-state providers for Pennsylvanians would end
• Hospitals and alternative care sites would no longer be able to add capacity or repurpose facilities (i.e., beds) without having to abide by the 60-day notice requirement
• License renewal and training requirement suspensions for healthcare professionals, child care workers, direct care workers, and direct support professionals, among other professional groups who provide life sustaining services to our children, seniors, and vulnerable residents would end, meaning all of these workers would need to choose between not returning to work until those credentials could be renewed or trainings completed or the option of returning to work with the understanding that they are practicing out of compliance with Pennsylvania law and regulation, very well opening themselves up to personal liability

The Governor also argued in his press release in response to the action that the General Assembly’s claims that the resolution ended the business guideline orders is not true. “Not only does any concurrent resolution need to come to the Governor for approval or disapproval, but the disaster declaration is separate from the orders signed by Secretary of Health Dr. Rachel Levine under the Disease Prevention Act that include provisions for business reopening and for worker and building safety. Those orders remain in place. The legislature did nothing to end those.” Governor Wolf and his General Counsel Gregory Schwab said the administration would be going to court to get clarification as to whether the administration has to comply with the Legislature’s termination of the declaration. The Senate Republican Caucus filed a Petition for Review on Wednesday in Commonwealth Court, to assert what they say is the Legislature’s right, under state law, to terminate disaster emergency declarations.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) released an updated compendium of COVID-19 resources and actions taken to assist rural communities. Find more information here.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has compiled sample training plans, guidance, and resources for COVID-19 contact tracers, case investigators, and team leads. Find this resource here.  Contact tracing is a control measure for preventing further spread of disease.  They have also developed guidance for Homeless Service Providers and Youth Experiencing Homelessness.

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) released a fact sheet describing adjustments that have been made or that CMS will be making to certain CMS Innovation Center Models to address the COVID-19 public health emergency. On the topic of telehealth, one adjustment allows Independence at Home model practices to utilize telehealth to meet quality metric requirements for two (of the six required) measures. Models addressed in the fact sheet may also include rural providers. Read more here.