The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania is taking action against the state’s high maternal mortality rate through the development of a statewide Maternal Health Strategic Plan. They are looking to learn more about what people experience and what needs they have before, during, and/or after a pregnancy, or when receiving maternal health care such as check-ups and preventive services. This survey takes approximately 10-15 minutes to complete and all questions are optional.

The survey closes on November 4th.

Click here to take the survey.

Funding supports the White House Blueprint for Addressing the Maternal Health Crisis by investing in innovative state-based strategies

The Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), an agency of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), announced nearly $19 million in awards to 15 states to identify and implement innovative strategies to address the maternal health crisis. HRSA Deputy Administrator Jordan Grossman, joined by Congresswoman Robin Kelly (IL-02), Chair of the Congressional Black Caucus Health Braintrust and Co-chair of the bipartisan Maternity Care Caucus, announced these awards in Chicago, IL as part of HRSA’s latest state Enhancing Maternal Health Initiative convening.

HRSA announced the availability of this funding in December 2023 at a White House roundtable on innovation in maternal health convened by the Office of the Vice President Kamala Harris and the Domestic Policy Council in support of the White House Blueprint for Addressing the Maternal Health Crisis.

“Supporting community solutions to the maternal mortality crisis means listening to moms and women with lived experience,” said HRSA Deputy Administrator Grossman. “At the Health Resources and Services Administration, we are proud to invest in our State Maternal Health Task Force initiative to create community tables across the country that are innovating and deploying community-driven solutions and strategies to advance women’s health.”

“Our nation’s crisis of maternal mortality requires urgent action. Pregnancy and birth should be one of the happiest moments for a family, but too many moms and women are suffering,” said Rep. Kelly. “I’m grateful to HRSA for elevating this conversation and for their efforts to improve maternal health outcomes in Illinois and nationwide. Together, we will ensure that every woman receives the care, support, and resources she deserves.”

State Maternal Health Innovation programs identify the key drivers of maternal mortality in their state, develop strategies and implement new interventions to address these issues tailored to their state’s needs. As part of this program, HRSA also funds State Maternal Health Task Forces that bring together health care providers, policymakers, patients, payers, and other stakeholders to develop shared solutions specific to their state’s needs and to better support pregnant women and new moms.

State Maternal Health Innovations programs have implemented a broad range of interventions to address maternal health challenges in their individual states. Examples of these interventions include early identification and treatment of hypertension to reduce preeclampsia and other risks, providing mobile simulation trainings to prepare health care providers for a range of adverse labor events, expanding access to trainings to rural and frontier hospitals that do not have a dedicated obstetrics department, and creating resources to improve first responders’ ability to respond to patients with substance use disorder during and after pregnancy.

This funding is part of the Biden-Harris Administration’s broader efforts to improve maternal health and supports HRSA’s ongoing initiative to reduce maternal mortality and health disparities. HRSA’s Enhancing Maternal Health Initiative aims to accelerate HRSA’s efforts to improve maternal health outcomes in partnership with women, grant recipients, community organizations, and state and local officials nationwide. Other key actions HRSA has taken to improve maternal health include:

• Launching the National Maternal Mental Health Hotline (833-TLC-MAMA) in 2022. The hotline provides 24/7 emotional and mental health support via call or text to expectant and new mothers and their families.
• Expanding Home Visiting services. HRSA recently awarded over $440 million in funding to expand voluntary, evidence-based home visiting services for eligible families across the country. Through the Maternal, Infant, and Early Childhood Home Visiting Program, local organizations can provide home visits from nurses, social workers, and other trained health workers who work with families to improve maternal and child health, child development and school readiness.
• Expanding Healthy Start services. HRSA recently invested $105 million in community-based organizations to improve maternal and infant health across the country through Healthy Start. Healthy Start funding will better support moms and babies to improve health in communities experiencing high disparities in maternal and infant health outcomes.
• Growing and diversifying the perinatal workforce, including doulas. HRSA has increased the number of obstetrician-gynecologists (OB/GYNs), nurses, midwives, doulas, and community health workers, especially in places without them, through grants, scholarships and loan repayment. For example, HRSA launched new programs to train more nurse midwifes who reflect the communities they serve, train and deploy more community-based doulas, and support the training of more nurse practitioners with a focus on maternal health, including in underserved and rural areas.
• Investing in new community health center efforts to address maternal health disparities. HRSA invested more than $65 million in 35 HRSA-funded health centers across the country to implement innovative approaches to improve maternal health outcomes and reduce disparities for patients at highest risk.
• Supporting maternal health care in rural communities. HRSA funds the Rural Maternity and Obstetrics Management Strategies (Rural MOMS) Program to increase access to maternal and obstetrics care in rural communities and improve health outcomes for mothers and infants. HRSA also awarded nearly $9 million over four years to five organizations to expand access to and coordinate health care services before, during, and after pregnancy in rural communities in the South.

For a complete list of State MHI awards, visit: https://mchb.hrsa.gov/programs/state-mhi/awards

See News & Announcements on HRSA.gov.

U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Deputy Secretary Xochitl Torres Small announced that USDA is partnering with farmers and small businesses to expand access to clean energy and lower energy bills through the Rural Energy for America Program (REAP).

“As drivers of our economy, farmers and rural business owners deserve affordable energy,” Deputy Secretary Torres Small said. “That’s why, as part of the Biden-Harris Administration’s Investing in America Agenda, I’m proud to announce an additional $104 million in REAP loans and grants that will lower energy costs for farmers and small business and help them expand their operations, all while tackling climate change.”

USDA is investing $104 million in loans and grants that will support over 300 clean energy projects in 34 states. Many of the projects are funded by President Biden’s Inflation Reduction Act, the nation’s largest-ever investment in combating the climate crisis. The projects also advance President Biden’s Investing in America Agenda to grow the nation’s economy from the middle out and the bottom up.

You can view the complete news release on our website.

USDA Rural Development is now accepting applications for the Rural Energy for America Program. This program provides guaranteed loan financing and grant funding to agricultural producers and rural small businesses for renewable energy systems or to make energy efficiency improvements. Agricultural producers may also apply for new energy efficient equipment and new system loans for agricultural production and processing.  The Federal Register document will be posted on the program website once it is published.

The Rural Energy for America Program helps increase American energy independence by increasing the private sector supply of renewable energy and decreasing the demand for energy through energy efficiency improvements. Over time, these investments can also help lower the cost of energy for small businesses and agricultural producers. The loan guarantee percentage is published annually in a Federal Register notice. REAP loans approved in Fiscal Year 2024 will receive an 80 percent guarantee. REAP loans approved in Fiscal Year 2025 will receive an 80 percent guarantee.

To apply for this REAP funding, please visit the Rural Energy for America Program page at Rural Development’s website. You can also find eligibility requirements, loan terms, and other frequently asked questions at this page. Also, be sure to follow USDA Rural Development’s Facebook page for updates.

Funding Will Improve Access to a Clean, Reliable Electric Grid and Safe Drinking Water for Millions in Rural and Tribal Communities

U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Deputy Secretary Xochitl Torres Small announced that USDA is investing in 116 projects across the nation to expand access to a clean and reliable electric grid, safe drinking water and good-paying jobs for people in rural and Tribal communities. Part of the funding announced today will make water infrastructure in rural areas more resilient to the impacts of climate change and severe weather.

The Department is investing $1.3 billion to support projects in 30 states. The investments advance President Biden’s Investing in America agenda to grow the American economy from the middle out and bottom up.

“Since day one, the Biden-Harris Administration and USDA have taken action to create good-paying jobs by making sure every community can benefit from safe drinking water and a reliable electric grid that lowers bills for hardworking families. Today’s $1.3 billion investment in over 100 rural water and electric infrastructure projects is a continuation of that commitment,” Deputy Secretary Torres Small said. “These projects will ensure that rural Americans have access to reliable, affordable energy and clean water no matter where they live. In the face of climate change, resilient power grids and strong water infrastructure are even more critical to building resilient rural communities and maintaining strong local economies.”

Strengthening Rural Water Infrastructure

During the event in Jeannette, Deputy Secretary Torres Small highlighted that Municipal Authority of Westmoreland County is receiving a $14 million loan under the Water and Waste Disposal Loans and Grants. Funding will be used to improve the City of Jeannette’s combined sewer system and eliminate the sanitary sewer overflows for the community.

In total, USDA is investing $443 million today through the Water and Waste Disposal Loans and Grants program to expand access to clean and reliable drinking water, sanitary waste disposal and storm water drainage for people in 24 states.

You can view the complete news release on our website.

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) released the Dr. Todd Graham Pain Management Study, which reviews coverage options and addresses best practices for non-opioid treatments for acute and chronic pain management under Medicare. To view the report, visit: https://www.cms.gov/cms-behavioral-health-strategy

How will building community capacity help us strengthen Appalachia? 🌱

Many organizations serving the region do not have enough resources, or “capacity,” to plan, strategize or steer complex projects. Organizations often need training and funding to hire more staff, build organizational skills and expand services to create the greatest positive impact in their communities. 💚

That’s why we’re excited to announce the launch of READY Grants to Grow. This new $9M funding opportunity will award grants of up to $500K to organizations seeking to build individual, organizational or community capacity in Appalachia.

Any organization that is eligible to apply for an ARC grant is eligible to apply for READY Grants to Grow. Join us at a pre-application webinar on October 10 to learn more!

Announcement of Public Comment Period for the Fair Contracting for Health Care Practitioners Act, Act 74 of 2024

As directed by the Fair Contracting for Health Care Practitioners Act (act), Act 74 of 2024, the Health Care Cost Containment Council (Council) has begun studying the prevalence and impact of non-compete agreements in the Commonwealth. The Council will be collecting public comments for analysis and inclusion within the final report. Comments received between September 21, 2024, and October 21, 2024, will be included for analysis.

Persons who wish to comment on the act may do so by contacting the Health Care Cost Containment Council

• Email: publiccomment@phc4.org
• Letter by Mail:
  PA Health Care Cost Containment Council
  225 Market St, Suite 400, Harrisburg, PA 17101

Thank you in advance for your consideration. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact Jake Muskovitz, PHC4’s project manager for the study: jmuskovitz@phc4.org.