- Weathering the Storm Together: Community Resiliency Hubs Hold the Promise of Local Self-Sufficiency and Supportive Mutual Aid
- Virginia Tech Researchers Bring Rural Families into the Nation's Largest Study of Early Brain and Child Development
- Expanding Access to Cancer Care for Rural Veterans
- VA: Veterans Rural Health Advisory Committee, Notice of Meeting
- Scaling Rural Wellness with Clever Collaboration
- Stroudwater Associates Enhances Rural Healthcare Dashboard with New Data to Support State Rural Transformation Grant Applications
- Harvest Season Is Here: Busy Times Call for Increased Focus on Safety and Health
- HHS Dispatches More Than 70 Public Health Service Officers to Strengthen Care in Tribal Communities
- Wisconsin Rural Hospitals Team up to Form Network
- CMS Launches Landmark $50 Billion Rural Health Transformation Program
- American Heart Association Provides Blood Pressure Kits at Southeast Arkansas Regional Libraries to Support Rural Health
- Broadening Access to Minimally Invasive Surgery Could Narrow Rural-Urban Health Gaps
- Instead of Selling, Some Rural Hospitals Band Together To Survive
- Help Line Gives Pediatricians Crucial Mental Health Information to Help Kids, Families
- Rural Health: A Strategic Opportunity for Governors
New Brief Examines Economic Security Through Public Safety Net Programs
A new brief from the Children’s Hospital of Pennsylvania (CHOP) examines how economic security programs shape long-term outcomes for children and families, particularly during pregnancy and infancy, when hardship is most severe. In Advancing Intergenerational Mobility Through Early Childhood Economic Security, the authors note that nearly half of all U.S. children experience poverty before kindergarten, with even higher rates among American Indian or Alaska Native, Black, Hispanic, and multiracial children. These disparities reflect deep, long-standing inequities that contribute to declining intergenerational economic mobility and poorer health, academic, and economic outcomes across a child’s lifespan.
The brief outlines the critical role of programs like Medicaid, SNAP, WIC, and federal housing supports in reducing these disparities and improving long-term well-being. Medicaid covers more than 37 million children and finances four in ten births, with research linking early eligibility to healthier adulthood and greater economic stability. SNAP and WIC provide essential nutrition support that improves birth outcomes, educational attainment, and long-term economic self-sufficiency. Housing assistance also plays a key role, helping families secure safe, stable housing that supports better health and educational opportunities.
With federal proposals such as H.R. 1 threatening deep cuts to Medicaid and SNAP, the brief underscores the urgency of protecting these programs. Public safety net supports are among the most effective tools for breaking cycles of poverty and promoting equitable opportunities. Pennsylvania’s role in preserving and strengthening these programs will be essential to safeguarding children’s health, stability, and long-term economic mobility.
Transparency in Care Proposed Rule Commenting Period Deadline Extended
On February 23, 2026, the Departments of Health and Human Services, Labor, and Treasury filed a notice with the Office of the Federal Register extending the public comment period for the Transparency in Coverage (TiC) proposed rule that appeared in the Federal Register on December 23, 2025. Under the notice, the public comment period for the TiC proposed rule that was slated to end on February 23, 2026 is extended until March 2, 2026.
Stakeholders may submit public comments on the TiC proposed rule (90 FR 60432) until March 2, 2026.
The rule can be accessed here: https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2025/12/23/2025-23693/transparency-in-coverage
The notice can be accessed here: https://www.federalregister.gov/public-inspection/2026-03798/transparency-in-coverage
New Report Examines Maternity Care Innovation in CAHs
The Flex Monitoring Team (FMT) has released a new product, Delivering Quality: Maternity Care Innovation in Critical Access Hospitals (CAHs).
This case series describes interviews with six high-performing CAHs, including the benefits of their Perinatal Quality Collaboratives, use of patient safety bundles, training activities, and other successes in providing maternity care. The interviews revealed a common focus on maternal hypertension and hemorrhage patient safety bundles, and a need for adapting these safety bundles to better suit their small facilities.
SNAP Cuts are Taking a Toll in Pennsylvania
SNAP cuts are taking a toll on the thousands of able-bodied Pennsylvanians losing benefits, many of whom do not meet work requirements.
In Pennsylvania, around 144,000 SNAP recipients could see benefits cut this year — an estimated 45,000 in Philadelphia and 12,000 in the collar counties, according to the State Department.
Pennsylvania Insurance Agency Reminds Consumers about No Cost Preventive Services
The Pennsylvania Insurance Department (PID) encouraged residents to review their health insurance benefits, schedule regular checkups, and speak with their health care providers about the need to access comprehensive preventative services. Pennie plans offer these preventive services at no cost when provided by an in-network provider:
- Blood pressure screenings
- Cholesterol screenings
- Diabetes screenings
- Obesity screenings and nutritional counseling
- Tobacco use screening and cessation counseling
- Routine wellness visits and annual checkups
- Counseling for healthy diet and physical activity for adults at risk of heart disease
Pennsylvanians can learn more about health insurance by going to PID’s Health Insurance page.
Noncitizen Eligibility for SNAP
Under new federal law, stricter rules are for noncitizens who are eligible to receive SNAP went into effect on November 1, 2025.
- If all other eligibility criteria are met, the following groups remain eligible for SNAP:
- Lawful Permanent Residents (LPR), including:
- Iraqi and Afghani immigrants who came to the U.S. on Special Immigrant Visas and become lawful permanent residents of the country upon admission to the U.S.
- Certain Hmong or Highland Laotian tribal members who helped the U.S. military by taking part in a military or rescue operation beginning August 5, 1964, and ending May 7, 1975, and their spouses, unmarried dependent children, and unremarried surviving spouses
- American Indians born in Canada to whom Section 289 of the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA) applies
- Members of Indian tribes born outside of the U.S. under Section 4(e) of the Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act
- Cuban/Haitian Entrants (CHE)
- Compacts of Free Association (COFA) migrants of the Federated States of Micronesia, the Republic of the Marshall Islands, and the Republic of Palau
- Noncitizen U.S. Nationals (e.g., American Samoans and Swains Islanders)
Noncitizen SNAP recipients who are not members of one of the above groups will continue to receive SNAP until their next renewal date.
Nurse Corps Loan Repayment Application Open
The Nurse Corps Loan Repayment Program application is now open through March 12 at 7:30 pm. If you are a nurse actively working in critical shortage facilities or teaching as nurse faculty at an accredited school of nursing, this program is an opportunity to pay off 60% of your nursing education debt in exchange for two years of service. Learn more and apply before the deadline. Have questions on the application? Join HRSA for an Application Assistance Q&A Session on Feb. 25 at 10:30 am.
National Health Service Corps Applications Open
The National Health Service Corps (NHSC) is now accepting applications for three loan repayment programs. Primary care, dental, and behavioral health providers could receive up to $100,000 to pay off student loans. The NHSC Loan Repayment Program, Substance Use Disorder Workforce Program, and Rural Community Program applications are due Tuesday, March 31 at 7:30 pm. Contact Caitlin Wilkinson, Director of the Pennsylvania Primary Care Career Center, with questions.
Important Notice for Nurses Renewing Licenses in Pennsylvania
The Pennsylvania Department of Health is asking Licensed Practical Nurses, Registered Nurses, and Certified Registered Nurse Practitioners to provide detailed and accurate information on the self-reported survey as part of the license renewal process. License renewals and surveys should be opening this week.
Maintaining accurate and current information on providers is essential for effectively analyzing, designing, and designating areas with health care workforce shortages across Pennsylvania, and the state Primary Care Office relies on this data to ensure that health care resources are allocated where they are needed most.
340B Recertification Open Now
The 2026 340B recertification window is now open through March 2, 2026. For questions about completing your recertification, HRSA recommends reviewing the 340B Office of Pharmacy Affairs Information System (OPAIS) website or contacting Apexus, the 340B Program Prime Vendor.