- Eight Hospitals Selected for First Cohort of Rural Hospital Stabilization Program
- Announcing the 2030 Census Disclosure Avoidance Research Program
- CMS: Medicare Program; Hospital Inpatient Prospective Payment Systems for Acute Care Hospitals and the Long-Term Care Hospital Prospective Payment System and Policy Changes and Fiscal Year 2026 Rates; Requirements for Quality Programs; and Other Policy Changes; Correction
- CMS: Medicare Program; Hospital Inpatient Prospective Payment Systems for Acute Care Hospitals and the Long-Term Care Hospital Prospective Payment System and Policy Changes and Fiscal Year 2026 Rates; Requirements for Quality Programs; and Other Policy Changes; Correction
- CMS: Medicare and Medicaid Programs; Contract Year 2026 Policy and Technical Changes to the Medicare Advantage Program, Medicare Prescription Drug Benefit Program, Medicare Cost Plan Program, and Programs of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly; Correction
- CMS: Medicare and Medicaid Programs; Contract Year 2026 Policy and Technical Changes to the Medicare Advantage Program, Medicare Prescription Drug Benefit Program, Medicare Cost Plan Program, and Programs of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly; Correction
- CMS: Medicare Program; Prospective Payment System and Consolidated Billing for Skilled Nursing Facilities; Updates to the Quality Reporting Program for Federal Fiscal Year 2026
- CMS: Medicare Program; FY 2026 Hospice Wage Index and Payment Rate Update and Hospice Quality Reporting Program Requirements
- Public Inspection: CMS: Medicare Program: Prospective Payment System and Consolidated Billing for Skilled Nursing Facilities; Updates to the Quality Reporting Program for Federal Fiscal Year 2026
- Public Inspection: CMS: Medicare Program: Fiscal Year 2026 Hospice Wage Index and Payment Rate Update and Hospice Quality Reporting Program Requirements
- CMS: Request for Information; Health Technology Ecosystem
- CMS: Medicare and Medicaid Programs; CY 2025 Payment Policies Under the Physician Fee Schedule and Other Changes to Part B Payment and Coverage Policies; Medicare Shared Savings Program Requirements; Medicare Prescription Drug Inflation Rebate Program; and Medicare Overpayments; and Appeal Rights for Certain Changes in Patient Status; Corrections and Correcting Amendment
- CMS: Medicare and Medicaid Programs; CY 2025 Payment Policies Under the Physician Fee Schedule and Other Changes to Part B Payment and Coverage Policies; Medicare Shared Savings Program Requirements; Medicare Prescription Drug Inflation Rebate Program; and Medicare Overpayments; and Appeal Rights for Certain Changes in Patient Status; Corrections and Correcting Amendment
- VA: Staff Sergeant Fox Suicide Prevention Grant Program Funding Opportunity
- State: 60-Day Notice of Proposed Information Collection: J-1 Visa Waiver Recommendation Application
New Brief: Identifying Vulnerable Rural Populations During COVID-19: The CDC’s Social Vulnerability Index
The National Organization of State Offices of Rural Health (NOSORH) has released a new Issue Brief: Identifying Vulnerable Rural Populations During COVID-19: The CDC’s Social Vulnerability Index
Social vulnerability refers to a community’s capacity to prepare for and respond to the stress of hazardous events — including natural disasters and pandemics. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has created a multifactor Social Vulnerability Index (SVI) which can be used to identify vulnerable rural populations at greatest risk of impact by hazardous events. The SVI is calculated at two levels — one set of variables for all US counties and a second set for all US census tracts — and updated bi-annually.
The SVI can be useful in planning efforts to prevent and respond to COVID-19 infections in local communities. The NOSORH COVID-19 Data Tool includes the latest SVI data displayed in a visual format. Overlaying the SVI data layers with other available layers aids in the identification of high need areas, assisting in delivery of resources where they are most needed.
Pennsylvania Health Department Releases Revised Guidelines for EMS
The Pennsylvania Emergency Health Services Council has distributed two guidelines for EMS providers on PPE and the Department of Health’s Universal Face Coverings Orders. Both documents can be accessed below.
National Practitioner Data Bank (NPDB) Extends Query Fee Waiver
The National Practitioner Data Bank (NPDB) is extending the query fee waiver for one-time queries, continuous queries, and continuous query renewals retroactive from June 1 through September 30. The NPDB previously offered the waiver through May 31. The waiver supports efforts to mobilize and deploy health professionals during the COVID-19 pandemic by reducing costs and expediting credentialing, hiring, privileging, and licensing processes.
For updated information about the waiver, visit the Coronavirus (COVID-19) Information page on the NPDB website.
For technical assistance, contact the NPDB Customer Service Center.
Medicaid/CHIP Provider Relief Fund Payment Forms and Guidance Announced
HHS, through the Provider Relief Fund, expects to distribute $15 billion to eligible Medicaid and CHIP providers.
Providers must submit their data by July 20.
Before applying through the Enhanced Provider Relief Fund Payment Portal applicants can watch a webinar about the application process for Medicaid/CHIP providers (registration required).
An additional webinar is scheduled for Wednesday, July 8 at 4:00 pm EDT. Register today.
Pennsylvania Department of Community Economic Development Releases Neighborhood Assistance Program Guidelines
The COVID-19 Pandemic has had an immense, unprecedented impact on the people and economy of Pennsylvania. Businesses have closed, people have lost their jobs, and life in general has been severely disrupted. Within the most vulnerable communities of Pennsylvania the impact of this pandemic has been exacerbated by the ongoing conditions of social injustice, poverty, and neglect. Due to the effects of this situation on the people and economy of Pennsylvania there will be a special emphasis on and priority given to projects that seek to address critical issues related to the pandemic and its aftermath for program year 2020-2021. Within these guidelines there are activities highlighted as being priorities for COVID-19 Pandemic and Social Justice Issues. While some of these priorities are based on individual services many of them are more community focused as it will take the efforts of entire communities to fully recover from this historical event.
Applicants who are planning to submit applications that address these critical needs are encouraged to do so when the NAP application is opened. The Department reserves the right to determine whether a project qualifies as a priority under these special circumstances. Those projects deemed not to be a priority will be considered after all other priority projects have been awarded if there are any tax credits remaining.
Please follow the link for more information.
Governor Urges Pennsylvanians to Avoid Large Gatherings, Wear Masks Over Holiday Weekend
As the holiday weekend approaches, Pennsylvania Governor Wolf’s Administration is reminding Pennsylvanians to avoid large gatherings and to wear masks around other people to help prevent further spread of COVID-19. On July 1, Governor Tom Wolf announced an order, signed by Secretary of Health Dr. Levine, requiring masks to be worn whenever anyone leaves home.
On July 3, Lebanon County, the remaining county still in yellow, will join the green phase with the rest of the state. The green phase prohibits large gatherings of more than 250 people. The newly expanded mask-wearing order also requires mask-wearing in any public space, not just in businesses.
If you have traveled, or plan to travel, to an area where there are high amounts of COVID-19 cases, it is recommended that you stay at home for 14 days upon return to Pennsylvania. If you travel to the following states, you will need to quarantine for 14 days upon return:
- Alabama
- Arizona
- Arkansas
- California
- Florida
- Georgia
- Idaho
- Louisiana
- Mississippi
- Nevada
- North Carolina
- South Carolina
- Tennessee
- Texas
- Utah
Pennsylvanians are encouraged to continue to practice social distancing and other preventive measures, including washing your hands frequently, covering coughs and sneezes, cleaning surfaces often, wearing a mask and staying home if you are sick to help reduce the spread of COVID-19.
New COVID-19 Tracking Tools Reveal County, State, & Global Trends
The COVID-19 Map Series is a searchable data base offering data of confirmed COVID-19 cases, county trends, number of days since last new case, recent outbreaks, mortality rates, active cases per 100,000 people, deaths per 100,000 people, and more in each of the nation’s counties. The data is collected by Johns Hopkins University CSSE, and also appears in their US Cases by County Dashboard. Due to frequent changes, it is advised that users refresh their browsers often when viewing the map. As of today, July 2nd, at 10:30 am (ET), there were 110,639 cases in 418 Appalachian counties.
For more information about COVID-19 trends, visit the Country Level Trends Story Map for global data and check out the full methodology for details.
Workforce Opportunity for Rural Communities (WORC) Applications Open through July 29
The U.S. Department of Labor has partnered with ARC to develop the Workforce Opportunity for Rural Communities (WORC). This $29.2 million initiative focuses on implementing innovative approaches and providing enhanced training and support to dislocated workers, new entrants in the workforce, incumbent workers, and individuals affected by substance use disorder returning to work. Successful awards will support workforce development activities that prepare eligible participants for good jobs in high-demand occupations aligned with a state, regional, or community economic development strategy.
As part of this partnership, ARC has hosted a series of short technical assistance webinars on how to prepare competitive applications. Communities across Appalachia, especially those underserved by other resources, are encouraged to apply. Applications must be submitted by 4:00 PM (ET) July 29, 2020.
The funding announcement can be found on the Grants.gov website.
New Report Highlights Economic Potential of Region’s Oil & Gas Industries
The Department of Energy (DoE) released a new report titled, The Appalachian Energy and Petrochemical Renaissance: An Examination of Economic Progress and Opportunities. Drawing on ARC data, research, and investment outcomes, the report examines energy resources found in Appalachia, the opportunities/challenges that are associated with these industries, and the steps that can be taken to increase the positive economic impact from these opportunities in parts of Pennsylvania, West Virginia, Ohio, and Kentucky.
The report cites several ARC reports relevant to the Region’s shale and gas industry including the Status of the Appalachian Development Highway System as of September 30, 2018, the Industrial Make-Up of the Appalachian Region and An Economic Analysis of the Appalachian Coal Industry Ecosystem. The report also highlights ARC investments in the Tristate Energy and Advanced Manufacturing (TEAM) Consortium, a network of nearly 50 community colleges and educational institutions, industry representation, local economic development leaders, and investment partners from across Marcellus-Utica region providing credentialed education and training for jobs in Appalachia’s energy and manufacturing sectors as an example of successful workforce development initiatives that could be brought to scale.
“Appalachian energy resources are among the most plentiful in the world, and the region stands poised to continue its growth as an energy producer and an important contributor to the world petrochemical market,” said ARC Federal Co-Chairman Tim Thomas. “The critical policy priorities and strategic investments outlined in this report will be important to the continued energy independence of our nation and the economic development of the Appalachian Region.”
Read the full details here.
Center for Rural Pennsylvania: Center for Rural Pennsylvania Board of Directors Appoints Kyle C. Kopko Director
On behalf of the Center for Rural Pennsylvania Board of Directors, Center Chairman Senator Gene Yaw announced that Kyle C. Kopko, Ph.D. has been appointed as the Center’s new director. Dr. Kopko succeeds Barry L. Denk, who is retiring from the Center at the end of July after 28 years of service.
“The board is delighted to welcome Dr. Kopko to the Center,” Sen. Yaw said. “The board knew immediately that Dr. Kopko’s strong research and analytical background and his focused leadership capabilities would continue to drive the Center forward in its mission to promote and sustain the vitality of Pennsylvania’s rural and small communities.”
Dr. Kopko most recently served as Associate Dean of Institutional Effectiveness, Research, and Planning, and Associate Professor of Political Science at Elizabethtown College. He earned his Ph.D. in political science from The Ohio State University in 2010. Dr. Kopko has authored or co-authored more than 30 scholarly publications, including two university press books, and he regularly speaks on a wide range of policy and political topics. His research has also received national and international media attention in numerous outlets, including The Wall Street Journal, The Washington Post, The New York Times, CNN, the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation, and Fox News Channel.
Dr. Kopko said: “I am honored to join the Center for Rural Pennsylvania. The Center’s outstanding reputation is the result of the hard work of the Center’s Board of Directors and staff. I am especially grateful for Barry Denk’s years of service to the Center. Under Barry’s leadership, the Center established itself as the preeminent source of information and data on rural communities in Pennsylvania. I look forward to working with the Center’s board and staff, and serving the millions of people who live and work in rural Pennsylvania.”
The Center for Rural Pennsylvania is a bipartisan, bicameral legislative agency that serves as a resource for rural policy within the Pennsylvania General Assembly. The Center works with the legislature, educators, state and federal executive branch agencies, and national, statewide, regional and local organizations to maximize resources and strategies that can better serve Pennsylvania’s nearly 3.4 million rural residents.
Contact: Christine Caldara Piatos, 717-787-9555, www.rural.palegislature.us