During the last year, many therapists in Pennsylvania have shared similar experiences when working with patients in a mental health setting. Requests for mental health appointments have drastically increased across the state, to the point where there is much more demand than supply. This article does a wonderful job of connecting readers to the experiences of different therapists and sharing how the helping profession is coping and working through the pandemic.

Last week, the FCC announced details about when and how it will award the $250 million in new funding for the COVID-19 telehealth program. As expected, FQHCs -– particularly those in rural areas, and those who applied but did not receive funding from this program last year -– will receive significantly priority points, including:

• 15 points for applicants who applied but were not funded in round one last year
• 10 points for being an FQHC
• 10 points for serving a HPSA with a score of 13 or higher
• 5 points for serving a rural area

There will be only a one-week window to submit applications, and it will likely be in late April. Health centers that applied previously but were not funded will need to reapply. Also, applicants who did receive funding in round one are permitted to apply for additional funding in this round.

Pennie, Pennsylvania’s Health Insurance Marketplace, offers dental coverage. Current Pennie customers can add dental insurance to their plans. New Pennie customers can purchase health and dental insurance as well as only dental insurance. Questions, contact Ken Hetzel, Pennie Director of Policy or Scott Yeager, Pennie Outreach Manager.

On April 1, 2021, the Biden Administration introduced the We Can Do This Campaign to encourage vaccine confidence. The campaign includes the COVID-19 Community Corps HHS initiative, of which the National Association of Community Health Centers (NACHC) is a founding member, that brings multiple community, religious, and celebrity stakeholders together in support of the We Can Do This Campaign. Visit the Community Corps Website to learn more and join the fight in protecting America’s health.

On April 4, 2021, the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania ended its mandatory telework order that had been in effect for almost a year. Philadelphia followed suit and ended its telework requirement for offices. Telework is still strongly encouraged, but employers may now bring employees back to the workplace, so long as they continue to follow and enforce other federal, state and local COVID-19 mitigation measures. Read more.

By Caroline Carlson

Three Daily Yonder readers share their stories as Covid-19 vaccination efforts continue across the nation.
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By Timothy J. Reeves

Timothy J. Reeves’ reflections on his experience as the administrator of Bucktail Medical Center, a facility caring for the elderly, allow a unique look “behind the curtain” of what it took for the staff and patients to make it through the worst of the pandemic.
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The Pennsylvania Department of Health notified all COVID-19 vaccine providers to pause administering doses of the Johnson & Johnson (Janssen) vaccine until at least April 20 following the recommendation out of an abundance of caution in a joint release from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and Federal Drug Administration (FDA).

The department is taking these steps as a precaution until the CDC and FDA have time to review six incidents of rare blood clots that occurred within two weeks of receiving Johnson & Johnson/Janssen vaccine. The CDC is convening an emergency meeting tomorrow of the Advisory Committee on Immunizations Practices to further review cases for any details on the significance of this rare occurrence.

These six cases occurred in women between 18 and 48 who were among the 6.8 million Americans who received the Johnson & Johnson/Janssen vaccine. This announcement shows that the federal oversight process of a vaccine’s safety and effectiveness is working, and all steps are being taken to protect Americans.

“While this announcement is challenging, it highlights the vaccine evaluation process,” Acting Secretary of Health Alison Beam said. “The CDC and the FDA are closely monitoring vaccines for safety and effectiveness, and if there is a cause for concern, they will take action because safety is paramount. This protocol should give all Pennsylvanians confidence in the safety and effectiveness of the Pfizer and Moderna vaccine, and individuals should proceed with getting vaccinated as soon as possible to fight the virus, particularly as our case counts rise.”

Individuals who have appointments scheduled to receive a Pfizer or Moderna vaccination should keep those appointments. If you are not aware of which vaccine type you are scheduled to receive, be assured that effective immediately, providers will not be administering the Johnson & Johnson (Janssen) vaccine.

If you received the Johnson & Johnson/Janssen vaccine and have any health concerns, contact your health care provider. People who have received the Johnson & Johnson vaccine who develop severe headache, abdominal pain, leg pain or shortness of breath within three weeks of their vaccination should contact their health care provider. For more information, find the CDC/FDA guidance online here.

The department also has sent communications to stakeholder groups and others who have received the J&J vaccine as a part of a special vaccination initiative.

While vaccine supply from the federal government remains limited, the Department of Health is working to ensure the vaccine is provided in a way that is ethical, equitable and efficient. To keep Pennsylvanians informed about vaccination efforts:

• The Your Turn tool provides a way to register to be alerted when it’s your turn to be vaccinated.
• A commonwealth COVID-19 vaccination guide explains the current process for getting one. Pennsylvanians with questions about the vaccination process can call the Department of Health hotline at 1-877-724-3258.
• Vaccine provider map to find a COVID-19 vaccine provider near you.
• All of the locations that received vaccine and how much they have received can be found on the COVID-19 Vaccine Distribution webpage.
• Vaccine dashboard data can also be found on the website to find more information on the doses administered and showcase demographic information.
• Pennsylvanians can provide feedback on the Pennsylvania COVID-19 Interim Vaccination Plan by clicking on the Plan Feedback Form square under Popular Vaccine Topics here.

Frequently asked questions can be found here.

Rural Health Clinics (RHCs) and Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs) may contact their Medicare Administrative Contractor to request lump sum payments for administering COVID-19 vaccines in advance of cost report settlement. The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) will pay RHCs and FQHCs for COVID-19 vaccines and administration at 100% reasonable cost similar to how influenza and pneumonia vaccines are paid.