USDA announced a suite of new actions delivering on key commitments from President Biden’s Executive Order on Promoting Competition in the American Economy, including issuing a new Packers & Stockyards Act rulemaking, making available $200 Million to expand competition in meat processing, and investing $25 million in workforce training

U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Secretary Tom Vilsack today announced more support, resources, and new rules that will strengthen the American food supply chain, promote fair and competitive agricultural markets, prevent abuse of farmers by poultry processors and make prices fairer for farmers and American consumers. These actions build on President Biden’s historic whole-of-government effort to promote competition in the American economy and fulfill key pillars of the Meat and Poultry Supply Chain Action Plan launched in January by President Biden, Secretary Vilsack, and Attorney General Garland. These actions combat market dominance by a small number of major meat and poultry processors in key markets, where excessive concentration and control has led to lower prices paid to producers and higher prices paid by consumers.

Read the full announcement here.

June event hosted by the White House will highlight private sector commitments

Today, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), in partnership with the White House, is issuing a call to action for health care stakeholders to commit to tackling the climate crisis through a new initiative aimed at reducing emissions across the health care sector.

Climate change exacerbates health disparities and private health care stakeholders have an opportunity to reduce their greenhouse gas emissions and mitigate future damage. Federal Health systems are already taking actions to reduce emissions under the leadership of the Biden Administration. This new initiative challenges private health systems to match or exceed these goals and to build climate considerations into the future of health care.

U.S. hospitals, health systems, suppliers, pharmaceutical companies and other industry stakeholders are invited to submit pledges to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and increase their climate resilience. The White House plans to host a convening in June to highlight health care sector progress in promoting climate actions.

“We need all players on the field confronting the climate crisis; sitting on the sidelines is not an option.” said HHS Secretary Xavier Becerra. “Every stakeholder group in America must step up, and collaboration across the public and private sector is key. At HHS, we stand ready to partner with as many players as possible. Reducing emissions and fighting climate change’s catastrophic and chronic impact on vulnerable people is key to building a healthier nation.”

The voluntary pledge asks signees to, at a minimum, commit to: (1) reducing their organization’s emissions (by 50% by 2030 and to net zero by 2050) and publicly reporting on their progress; (2) completing an inventory of Scope 3 (supply chain) emissions; and (3) developing climate resilience plans for their facilities and communities. It also asks them to designate an executive lead for this work.

“We are encouraged by the bold and specific commitments to decarbonization that many organizations across the country have already made,” Admiral Rachel Levine, Assistant Secretary for Health, said. “It is time for us to both celebrate those commitments and galvanize others to take this critical step.”

“The health care sector contributes 8.5% of total U.S. emissions, so they have a big role to play,” National Climate Advisor Gina McCarthy said. “We are excited for health care leaders across the country willing to step up, reduce emissions, and help us reach the President’s bold climate goals.”

Starting with the establishment of the Office of Climate Change and Health Equity (OCCHE) in August of 2021, HHS is taking a more active role to address the challenges climate poses to health. This includes the Administration’s commitment at last November’s United Nations Climate Conference  to creating a low-carbon health system. It also includes co-chairing the National Academy of Medicine Action Collaborative on Decarbonizing the U.S. Health Sector , a public-private partnership of leaders from across the health system committed to addressing the sector’s environmental impact while strengthening its sustainability and resilience.

The Department expects to make more climate-readiness resources and technical assistance supports available to health care providers in the coming months.

Pledge signers can download forms and find more information on the submission process here. Forms will be due by June 3, 2022.

President Biden has directed his administration to work urgently to ensure that during the Abbott Nutrition voluntary recall, infant formula is safe and available for families across the country. Today, President Biden spoke with retailers and manufacturers, including Wal-Mart, Target, Reckitt, and Gerber, to discuss ways we can all work together to do more to help families access infant formula.

On February 17, the largest infant formula manufacturer in the country—Abbott Nutrition—initiated a voluntary recall of several lines of powdered formula. This came after concerns about bacterial contamination at Abbott’s Sturgis, Michigan, facility after four infants fell ill and two died. The federal government—including the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), Department of Agriculture (USDA), Department of Justice (DOJ), Department of Transportation (DOT), U.S. Trade Representative (USTR), Department of Homeland Security (DHS), Department of Commerce (DOC), and the White House—has worked diligently over the last few months to address the shortfall in infant formula production while the Sturgis plant remains offline, including working with other infant formula manufacturers to increase production, expediting the import of infant formula from abroad, and calling on both online and in store retailers to establish purchasing limits to prevent the possibility of hoarding. As a result, more infant formula has been produced in the last four weeks than in the four weeks preceding the recall — despite one of the largest infant formula production facilities in the U.S. being offline.

Families across the country remain concerned about the availability of infant formula—especially families that depend on specialty formulas for which the Sturgis facility is a key supplier. These 20 specialty formulas are used by about 5,000 infants as well as some older children and adults with rare metabolic diseases, and Abbott Nutrition is the only supplier for some of these formulas.

Today, President Biden is announcing additional steps to bolster our work to get infant formula onto store shelves as quickly as possible without compromising safety. These steps include:

• Cutting Red Tape to Get More Infant Formula to Store Shelves Quicker: Manufacturers typically produce many different sizes of the same type of infant formula. Simplifying product offerings allows manufacturers to increase the speed and scale of their infant formula production, stabilizing the overall volume of formula available in the market. The type of formula that companies make and distribute is impacted by the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC), administered by USDA. About half of infant formula nationwide is purchased by participants using WIC benefits, based on both federal requirements and additional rules set by individual states that have a large effect on the availability and distribution of infant formula in a given state.

To help further increase manufacturers’ ability to meet demand and distribute formula, USDA is working with states to make it easier for vulnerable families to purchase the formula they need with their WIC benefits. USDA is urging states to allow WIC recipients to use their WIC benefits on a wider variety of products so that if certain sizes or types of formula are out of stock, they can use their benefits on those that are in stock. And, USDA is urging states to relax their requirements that stores keep a certain amount of formula in stock. This will offer relief to retailers and allow companies to manage inventories to meet demand. Some states are already doing this. All fifty states should. These actions will make it easier for vulnerable families to get the necessary nutritional support for their infants.

• Calling on the FTC and State Attorneys General to Crack Down on Any Price Gouging or Unfair Market Practices Related to Sales of Infant Formula: Parents looking to feed their child should not be taken advantage of by unscrupulous retailers unfairly jacking up prices. There have been several reports that actors are purchasing formula at retail stores and reselling it online at a markup several times the retail price, especially specialty brands of formula that have experienced the most disruption. These actions not only are costing families hundreds of dollars for formula they need, but drive scarcity on the market. Since February, the FDA has worked with companies, calling on them to issue purchasing limits to help limit such predatory behavior. Many responsible retailers have responded to that call. Now, DOJ is engaging with state attorneys general to encourage them to use their powers to monitor and address price gouging in the infant formula market, and urging them to devote more resources to monitoring predatory behavior in the market for infant formula. And, the President today asked the Federal Trade Commission to use all its available tools to monitor and investigate reports of illegal and predatory conduct.

• Increasing the Supply of Formula Through Increased Imports: The U.S. normally produces 98% percent of the infant formula it consumes, and trading partners in Mexico, Chile, Ireland, and the Netherlands are key sources of imports. But given the production and distribution issues leading to local short supplies of infant formula, the FDA will, in the coming days, announce specific new steps it is taking concerning importing certain infant formula products from abroad.

More information on actions that the FDA announced earlier this week to address the shortage of infant formula can be found here. The Biden-Harris Administration will continue to monitor the situation and identify other ways it can support the safe and rapid increase in the production and distribution of baby formula.

FACT SHEET: President Biden Announces Additional Steps to Address Infant Formula Shortage

Naloxone saves lives by reversing opioid overdoses. In addition to efforts like expanding access to treatment, services, and supports for people with substance use disorder (SUD), naloxone is a critical tool in Pennsylvania’s efforts to address the opioid epidemic.

Since 2017, Pennsylvania Governor Wolf’s administration has taken a number of steps to increase naloxone access for people and communities across Pennsylvania who need it the most. As we continue to deal with the mental and behavioral health impacts brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic, we realize the fight is far from over. We are again seeing an uptick in drug overdose deaths, and the vast majority of these deaths are opioid- and fentanyl-related.

Pennsylvanians can play an important role in addressing this public health crisis. By being prepared, learning the signs of overdose and how to respond, and getting naloxone, you can help save lives. As a commonwealth we are anticipating a significant supply of naloxone in the coming months. The Department of Drug and Alcohol Programs encourages you to learn about the ways individuals, organizations, and agencies can access naloxone.  Please see the attached one-page PDF for resources to access no-cost naloxone in Pennsylvania.

Naloxone Program Overview

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) is working to help build awareness about the Affordable Connectivity Program, a Federal Communications Commission (FCC) program. The new long-term benefit will help to lower the cost of broadband service for eligible households struggling to afford internet service.

The Affordable Connectivity Program provides:

• Up to $30/month discount for broadband service;
• Up to $75/month discount for households on qualifying Tribal lands; and
• A one-time discount of up to $100 for a laptop, desktop computer, or tablet purchased through a participating provider
• if the household contributes more than $10 but less than $50 toward the purchase price.

The Affordable Connectivity Program is limited to one monthly service discount and one device discount per household.

Who is Eligible?

A household is eligible for the Affordable Connectivity Program if the household income is at or below 200% of the / Federal Poverty Guidelines, or if a member of the household meets at least one of the criteria outlined at https://www.fcc.gov/acp.

Two-Steps to Enroll

1. Go to ACPBenefit.org to submit an application or print out a mail-in application; and
2. Contact your preferred participating provider to select a plan and have the discount applied to your bill.
3. Some providers may have an alternative application that they will ask you to complete.

Eligible households must both apply for the program and contact a participating provider to select a service plan. 

For more information and full details, visit https://www.fcc.gov/acp or call 877-384-2575.

Check out the Consumer Outreach Toolkit at https://www.affordableconnectivity.gov/community-resources/

Read more about the ACP in the recent White House Fact Sheet: https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/statements-releases/2022/05/09/fact-sheet-president-biden-and-vice-president-harris-reduce-high-speed-internet-costs-for-millions-of-americans/

Mental Health Matters: Care, Support Available to Those Facing Challenges

Mental health is an incredibly important part of overall health. We all struggle during challenging times and need support and access to care to thrive.  

May is Mental Health Awareness Month. Each year millions of Americans face the reality of living with a mental illness. One in 5 American adults — and 1 in 6 youths — experience mental illness each year, and less than half of them receive treatment. Each year we fight stigma, provide support, educate the public and advocate for policies that support people with mental illness and their families.

Taking steps to improve mental health can look different for everyone. Perhaps you’d like to talk to someone, focus more on self care, consider medication, and/or seek other treatments. No matter your challenges, there are options to help you.

Please know that you are not alone.

• Mental Health Resources — Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
• Mental Health in PA — Department of Human Services

Crisis Help

If you or someone you know is experiencing a mental health crisis, please reach out for help.

• Call 911: If there is an immediate risk of endangering oneself or others, contact 911. Inform the operator that you are calling about a mental health crisis.
• Crisis Text Line: Text PA to 741741 to start the conversation 24/7.
• National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 800-273-8255
  If you or someone you care about is experiencing thoughts of suicide, please call the Lifeline. (Español: 888-628-9454)
• PA Crisis Hotlines: Find a crisis line in your county.

988: Reimagining Crisis Response

PA residents made more than 76,000 calls to the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline in 2020. In fall 2020, the National Suicide Hotline Designation Act was passed by Congress establishing 988 as a three-digit nationwide mental health and suicidal crisis number to be available in communities by July 2022. Dialing 988 will route callers directly to the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline.

What does this mean for Pennsylvanians?

• PA has 13 call centers that are members of the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline, with trained staff who assist callers and connect them to local resources across the state. They will continue to provide these services for callers who dial 988.
• Approximately 80-90 percent of calls are resolved through conversation with the trained call center staff, and without need for mobile response dispatch.

By directing callers with a behavioral health crisis that isn’t life threatening to contact 988 for assistance, the response provided by law enforcement, EMS, and other public safety services personnel can be reserved for situations in which lives are endangered.

Mental Health Resources for Pennsylvanians

• PA Support & Referral Hotline: 1-855-284-2494 (TTY:724-631-5600)
  The Department of Human Services’ mental health support and referral helpline is available 24/7 and is a free resource staffed by skilled and compassionate caseworkers available to counsel Pennsylvanians struggling with anxiety and other challenging emotions.
• Get Connected to Help  
  • Pennsylvania Medicaid participants: Find an in-network provider
  • Call 2-1-1: The United Way of Pennsylvania can connect you to help in your area; Search crisis services, hotlines, and warmlines near you.
  • Psychology Today’s search engine 
  • SAMHSA’s search tool
• Office of Advocacy and Reform (OAR)  
  www.governor.pa.gov/about/office-of-advocacy-and-reform/
  A group of volunteers focused exclusively on setting guidelines and benchmarks for trauma-informed care across the commonwealth.

For Service Members/Veterans 

Are you a veteran in crisis or are you concerned about a veteran in crisis? Here’s how to connect with the Veterans Crisis Line:

• Call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline’s Veterans Crisis Line:
  1-800-273-8255, then press 1 
• Send a text to 83825
• Chat with someone online
• Connect with the Veterans Crisis Line  online

For Violence Survivors

• Pennsylvania Sexual Assault Helpline: 1-888-772-7227 or pcar.org/help-in-pa
• National Domestic Violence Helpline: 1-800-799-7233 or www.PCADV.org

For Older Pennsylvanians

• SOLO: Strengthening Older Lives Online — View in English or Spanish
  The Pennsylvania Department of Aging’s Council on Aging (PCoA) released an interactive guide with information and resources to help older adults cultivate a healthy mind, body and spirit amidst the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic

For Substance Use

• Get Help Now Helpline — 1-800-662-HELP (4357)
  A toll-free helpline maintained through the Department of Drug and Alcohol Programs (DDAP) that connects callers looking for treatment options for themselves or a loved one to resources in their community. Calls are anonymous and available 24/7.
• Find Treatment Near You:  DDAP Treatment Search
  The Department of Drug and Alcohol Programs’ (DDAP) search engine allows you to search by ZIP code, county, or statewide for programs that could help you.
• Naloxone Standing Order — www.pa.gov/opioids
  Naloxone is still available to all Pennsylvanians through a standing order signed by Acting Secretary of Health Dr. Denise Johnson. Carrying naloxone on-hand at all times can be a life-saving action.
• Alcoholics Anonymous: Find resources and/or meetings that work for you.
• Cocaine Anonymous: Find a video or email meeting.
• Narcotics Anonymous: Narcotics Anonymous offers multi-lingual and multicultural support. Use the website to find meetings and resources.
• SMART Recovery: There’s life beyond substance use disorder. Find meetings that are free and open to everyone.

Treating Heroin and Opioid Use Disorder: Pennsylvania’s online guide of resources for those battling opioids

Additional Mental Health Resources

• Prevent Suicide PA
• National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI): Pennsylvania
• Substance Abuse and Mental Health Service Administration (SAMHSA)
• Student Assistance Program in Pennsylvania

Due to the compounding physical and emotional challenges brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic over the last two years, the topic of mental health has never been more timely or critical. Whether it’s the mental health of our public health workforce and communicators, or developing messaging that helps communities manage mental health challenges, here’s a spotlight of resources we’ve compiled in service of Mental Health Awareness Month:

• How Right Now Campaign: CDC Foundation
• Improving Youth Behavioral Health Through School-Based Strategies: Association of State and Territorial Health Officials (ASTHO)
• Mental Health Awareness Month shareable graphics: National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI)
• The Public Health Workforce: Morale, Mental Health, and Moving Forward: PHCC Webinar
• Rising Stress + Burnout in Public Health: de Beaumont Foundation
• A Guide to Promoting Health Care Workforce Well-Being During and After the COVID-19 Pandemic: Well Being Trust