The American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (ARP), also known as the COVID-19 relief package, was signed into law on March 11, 2021, and included significant savings for Pennsylvanians seeking marketplace coverage and those already enrolled in coverage through Pennie. The law increased the amount of financial assistance available to Pennsylvanians to provide relief for those struggling with the pandemic and the economic repercussions. The ARP included an increase in the eligibility for, and the amount of, premium tax credits for Pennsylvanians at all income levels during the 2021 and 2022 plan years, including those historically shut out of assistance due to earning more than 400% of the Federal Poverty Level. In some cases, lower-income enrollees had their premiums eliminated completely. Pennsylvania taxpayers and their spouses who were eligible to receive unemployment compensation in 2021, were eligible for the maximum levels of financial assistance through Pennie, including advance premium tax credits and cost-sharing reductions (CSR) to significantly reduce the cost of health coverage and care. Many of these households were able to enroll in a silver plan in their area with a $0 premium for the remainder of 2021 and 2022. More than 374,000 enrolled in Pennie marketplace insurance coverage during the 2022 Open Enrollment Period with significant savings; overall coverage increased by 11% due to the ARP. On average, Americans saved $800 per person last year and thousands per family because of the ARP affordability measures.

Former Pennsylvania Health Secretary Administrator Rachel Levine has been named one of USA Today’s Women of the Year. Levine currently serves as the assistant secretary for health with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) as well as the head of the U.S. Public Health Service Commissioned Corps. She is the first openly transgender four-star officer in the nation as well as the first female four-star officer in the U.S. Public Health Service Commissioned Corps. USA Today notes that she is “the nation’s highest-ranking openly transgender official.” Levine served as Pennsylvania’s top-ranking health official from 2017 to 2021. Pres. Joe Biden nominated her to HHS last January and she was confirmed as the nation’s assistant secretary of health by the Senate in March 2021.

President Biden signed the FY22 omnibus appropriations package. The bill includes a $65 million increase for Community Health Centers from FY21 allocations, totaling $1.748 billion, although because of sequestration there is a net decrease of $30 million to the Health Center Program. The HRSA Bureau of Primary Care (BPHC), despite the sequestration cut, has committed to no health center funding cuts. The bill also provides direct spending “earmarks” for ending the HIV epidemic (but not as much funding as anticipated), school-based health centers (for 330 grantees, but absent the additional funding anticipated for non-330 grantees), expanded cancer screening, and addressing intimate partner violence. Lastly, the package includes a 151-day extension of telehealth flexibilities beyond the Public Health Emergency. These telehealth flexibilities will allow health centers to provide virtual care to patients, including audio-only visits. The bill also provides $14 billion in Ukraine aid, but not COVID-19 supplemental funding. This week, the House plans to vote on a separate COVID-19 supplemental funding bill. However, the passage does not appear likely.

Mike Humphreys now serves as the Acting Insurance Commissioner for the Pennsylvania Insurance Department (PID) after the resignation of former Insurance Commissioner Jessica Altman. Mike previously served as the Chief of Staff at PID. In that position, Humphreys was responsible for regulating the commonwealth’s insurance marketplace, overseeing licensed agents and insurance professionals, monitoring the financial landscape of companies doing business in Pennsylvania, educating consumers, and ensuring residents are treated fairly. Before joining PID, Humphreys served as Assistant Commissioner for Insurance at the Tennessee Department of Commerce and Insurance (TDCI).

The Pennsylvania Department of Human Services (DHS) released the latest issue of the Positive Approaches Journal, which aims to provide the most recent research and resources for people with mental health and behavioral challenges, intellectual disabilities, autism, and other developmental disabilities to live everyday life. This edition focuses on effective behavioral supports and how they affect the populations DHS serves. “Part of DHS’ mission is to ensure that people have the resources and information they need to live an everyday life,” said Acting DHS Secretary Meg Snead. “We hope that this edition of the Positive Approaches Journal will provide some insight into best practices and methods so we can all work together to ensure that the people we serve can all be better off.” Read more.