- 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 Policy Brief Explores Rural Nursing Home Data From 2017 to 2022
In this study, we will compare the changes in resident health status as well as average nursing home staffing levels for registered nurses, licensed practical nurses, and certified nurse aides from 2017 to 2022. We will also evaluate nursing home closure and financial performance for rural and urban nursing homes from 2017 to 2022.
Click here to access the full brief.
Authors: Gulrukh Mehboob, MS; Hari Sharma, PhD; Fred Ullrich, BA; Keith Mueller, PhD
New Article Focuses on Oral Hygiene and HAI Prevention
An article in the American Dental Association (ADA) News explores the relationship between daily toothbrushing and the risk of hospital-acquired infections such as pneumonia. The article concludes that forgoing oral hygiene during hospitalization may increase the risk of hospital-acquired pneumonia, which can lengthen the duration of hospitalization, increase the risk of mortality, and elevate health care costs.
CMS Releases Final Rule, “Notice of Benefit and Payment Parameters for 2027″
The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) released the final rule, “Notice of Benefit and Payment Parameters for 2027; Basic Health Program” (the 2027 Payment Notice final rule) that sets standards for the Health Insurance Exchanges, as well as for health insurance issuers, and agents, brokers, and web-brokers who connect millions of consumers to Affordable Care Act (ACA) coverage.
Please see the following links:
- Press Release: https://www.cms.gov/newsroom/press-releases/cms-final-rule-lowers-costs-cracks-down-fraud-expands-state-control
- Fact Sheet: https://www.cms.gov/newsroom/fact-sheets/hhs-notice-benefit-payment-parameters-2027-final-rule
- Final Rule: https://www.cms.gov/files/document/cms-9883-f-patient-protection.pdf
This HHS-approved document will be submitted to the Office of the Federal Register (OFR) for publication and has not yet been placed on public display or published in the Federal Register. The document may vary slightly from the published document if minor editorial changes have been made during the OFR review process. The document published in the Federal Register is the official HHS-approved document.
Research Brief Highlights Pennsylvania Population Estimates
The U.S. Census Bureau released estimates of the July 1, 2025 population at the municipal level. This release includes total population estimates for all municipalities in Pennsylvania.
Key Findings from the Report:
- 988 municipalities increased from 2020 to 2025. Among those with populations over 2,500, Lancaster township in Butler County (+36.1%) had the largest percentage increase.
- 1,540 municipalities decreased from 2020 to 2025. Among those with populations over 2,500, California borough in Washington County (-14.0%) had the largest percentage decrease.
For more information on municipal population change in Pennsylvania, read this month’s brief.
Coming Soon: CMS to Provide $50 Monthly Access to GLP-1 Medications for Medicare Beneficiaries
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) announced the upcoming launch of the “Medicare GLP-1 Bridge,” a time-limited demonstration project that will provide eligible Medicare Part D beneficiaries access to certain GLP-1 medications for $50 per month beginning July 1, 2026, through December 31, 2027. The initiative is designed to expand affordable access to innovative, evidence-based weight-loss treatments that may improve long-term health outcomes for seniors managing obesity and related conditions. CMS Administrator Dr. Mehmet Oz stated that the demonstration aims to make these medications more affordable and accessible for Medicare beneficiaries, while supporting healthier lifestyles and reducing barriers to care. CMS will continue working with providers, pharmacies, and manufacturers ahead of the program launch and encourages beneficiaries to speak with their health care providers to determine whether a GLP-1 medication is appropriate for their care needs. Additional program details are available on the CMS website.
CMS Press Release and Fact Sheet Summaries – find all press releases and fact sheets here: https://www.cms.gov/about-cms/contact/newsroom
HRSA Shares Oral Health Literacy Resources
The Health Resources & Services Administration (HRSA) has oral health literacy resources available on their website. These free materials are intended for health professionals, health educators, community health workers, and any other organizations working with patients. Topics include pregnancy and young children, oral health for adults, and oral health in connection with other health conditions.
New Chairside Guidelines Platform Launched for Dental Providers
Penn Dental Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania and the American Dental Association (ADA) shared a new platform to support providers in clinical decisions. The ADA Living Guideline platform aims to provide continuously updated, evidence-based guidance for providers to access chairside. The goal of the platform is to keep providers up to date and provide quick access to guidelines.
Advancing Health Equity in Uncertain Times
The Journal of Public Health Dentistry released a special issue intended to inspire readers to consider how they can continue to advance health equity during uncertain times. The special edition includes a collection of editorials, articles, and commentaries that focus on science, education, public health practice, workforce, and advocacy.
Free access has been granted for all readers.
2024 Financial Analysis of Rural Hospitals Released
The Pennsylvania Health Care Cost Containment Council’s (PHC4) Financial Analysis 2024 – Rural Hospitals, displays information specific to Pennsylvania general acute care (GAC) hospitals located in rural counties. Supplementary to PHC4’s Financial Analysis, this is the second report in this new annual series, offering succinct data to support all who rely on rural health care in the Commonwealth.
Rural hospitals, which comprise 41% of Pennsylvania’s statewide total number of GAC hospitals, exhibit distinct financial characteristics. This analysis focuses on the 63 GAC hospitals located in rural areas in fiscal year 2024 (FY24). Of these 63 rural hospitals, 22 (35%) reported operating losses during FY24 based on their operating margins. The average net patient revenue for these hospitals operating at a loss was $80 million in FY24. The key factors that may contribute to the financial challenges at rural hospitals include:
- Decreased Reimbursements: Reduced payments from government programs such as Medicare and Medicaid placing significant financial pressure on rural hospitals.
- Aging Populations: Rural communities often have older populations, typically requiring more complex and costly medical care.
- Lower Patient Volume: Serving smaller populations limits revenue potential, making it harder for rural hospitals to cover operating expenses.
- Higher Operating Costs: Geographic and logistical challenges—such as transportation, staffing shortages, and maintaining specialized services—contribute to elevated costs.
- Uncompensated Care: Rural hospitals face a growing burden of uncompensated care, including patient bad debt and charity care.
PHC4 strives to ensure Pennsylvanians are armed with publicly available, fact-based, health care information and plans to continuously enrich its reporting and the resources it develops to bring value to communities across the Commonwealth.
PHC4 is an independent council formed under Pennsylvania statute (Act 89 of 1986, as amended by Act 15 of 2020) in order to address rapidly growing health care costs. PHC4 continues to produce comparative information about the most efficient and effective health care to individual consumers and group purchasers of health services. In addition, PHC4 produces information used to identify opportunities to contain costs and improve the quality of care delivered. In addition, PHC4 produces information used to identify opportunities to contain costs and improve the quality of care delivered. For more information, visit phc4.org or access the report here.
New Resource Supports Data Literacy Across Pennsylvania
The Pennsylvania Health Care Cost Containment Council (PHC4) is taking the next step in supporting stakeholders with the publication of a new educational resource aimed at teaching data literacy.
For 40 years PHC4 has served the Commonwealth with fact-based, transparent health care reporting. Under the guidance of a newly established strategic plan, the organization has developed several resources aimed at ensuring Pennsylvanians have the tools needed to effectively interpret data. This series of educational modules is now available for public access online at phc4.org.
This effort is supported by a collaboration with the Pennsylvania Medical Society (PAMED). Recognizing the value in PHC4’s data and expertise, these two entities saw the opportunity to amplify the support offered to all stakeholders. PAMED’s Director of Physician Education, Leslie B. Howell, CHCP, CAE, alongside PHC4’s Department of Public Affairs entered into an effort that is now a data literacy learning module, accredited with CME. These modules are now available for Continuing Medical Education (CME) credits through PAMED, at pamedsoc.org.
PHC4 is an independent council formed under Pennsylvania statute (Act 89 of 1986, as amended by Act 15 of 2020) in order to address rapidly growing health care costs. PHC4 continues to produce comparative information about the most efficient and effective health care to individual consumers and group purchasers of health services. In addition, PHC4 produces information used to identify opportunities to contain costs and improve the quality of care delivered.
For more information, visit phc4.org or interact with each of these online resources at Resources for Educators – Self-paced – Data Literacy – PHC4, or for CME at Data Literacy | Pennsylvania Medical Society.