- Fact Sheet: The Biden-Harris Administration Highlights Investments in Rural America, Invites Public Nominations for Rural Innovators Initiative
- Rural Victims of Intimate-Partner Violence Need More Resources and Support, Study Finds
- A Tribe in Maine Is Using Opioid Settlement Funds on a Sweat Lodge to Treat Addiction
- Fact Sheet: USDA, HHS Announce New Actions to Reduce Impact and Spread of H5N1
- Call for Experts: Forum on Aging, Disability, and Independence
- Bill to Expand Definition of 'Village' Qualifying for Water Funds Passes Alaska House
- Child Care Workers Caught in Middle of Michigan's Broken Child Care System
- Few Options Available for Substance Abuse Treatment in the Big Bend
- In Rural Texas, ERs Are Facing a Growing Mental Health Crisis
- Ways and Means Members Put Forth Solutions to Strengthen Telehealth Access and Improve Health Care for Rural Communities
- Sage Memorial Hospital in Navajo Nation Constructs New Facility to Improve Health Care
- How the State, Tribes and Federal Government Are Working to Curb SD's Syphilis Epidemic
- Rural Children Struggle to Access Hospital Services, Say Researchers
- RPHARM Program Fulfills Need for Rural Pharmacists
- A Pilot Program in Rural Vermont Hopes to Build a Blueprint for Substance Abuse Recovery
FDA Fact Sheets Address Variants for Monoclonal Antibody Products
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recently released revised fact sheets for health care providers that include additional information on susceptibility of SARS-CoV-2 variants to each monoclonal antibody therapy available through an Emergency Use Authorization for COVID-19 treatment. The fact sheets contain details regarding specific variants and potential resistance. Download revised fact sheets for: Bamlanivimab; Bamlanivimab and Etesevimab and REGEN-COV™ (Casirivimab with Imdevimab).
“It’s Ok to Not be Ok,” Managing Mental Health for Therapists
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.
FCC $250 Million Telehealth Program Application Window
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.
Study Finds a Third of COVID-19 Survivors Suffer Neurological or Mental Disorders
A new study published this week found that a third of patients diagnosed with the coronavirus experienced a psychiatric or neurological illness as of six months later. Earlier studies found that COVID-19 can cause long-term brain damage and may increase the risk of Alzheimer’s. As Pennsylvania and the nation approaches April 19 when vaccination will be open to all adults, analysis by Johns Hopkins University of the latest available seven days of data finds that nearly half of new coronavirus infections nationwide are in just five states — New York, Michigan, Florida, Pennsylvania, and New Jersey. The five states together reported 44 percent of the nation’s new COVID-19 infections, or nearly 197,500 new cases. We can change this with vaccination: as of this week, 169 million doses have been given worldwide and 6.8 million in Pennsylvania; 63 million people worldwide and 2.4 million in PA are fully vaccinated against COVID-19.
More Than 20% of Women with Prenatal Medicaid Coverage Became Uninsured After Giving Birth
Health Affairs released a report on April 6, 2021, which found that 21.9 percent of new mothers with Medicaid-covered prenatal care became uninsured two to six months postpartum. The report, which analyzed Medicaid-covered prenatal care from 2015 to 2018 in 43 states also found that 26.8 percent of new mothers with prenatal Medicaid coverage were uninsured before pregnancy. Data is from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Pregnancy Risk Assessment Monitoring System.
Federal Poverty Income Guidelines for 2021
The Department of Human Services (DHS) announced the implementation in Pennsylvania of the 2021 Federal Poverty Income Guidelines (FPIG) which were issued by the federal Department of Health and Human Services and published at 86 FR 7732 on Feb. 1, 2021.
COVID-19 Special Enrollment Period Dental Coverage
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.
LIHEAP Extension in Pennsylvania
In recognition of the ongoing need of Pennsylvanians affected by loss of employment and income, the Department of Human Services (DHS) is extending the 2020-21 Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) season. The LIHEAP season will now run through April 30, 2021. DHS does not want Pennsylvanians to be in a difficult position if the utility shut-off moratorium ends, and they are strongly encouraging individuals in need to apply at www.compass.state.pa.us.
Biden’s “Skinny” Budget Delayed
President Biden was expected to release a top-line version of his discretionary funding request, including a breakdown of proposed funding levels for federal agencies and major priorities last week. The Administration has not committed to a new date for the “skinny” budget release. The delay comes as the Administration decides on defense spending figures. Biden was expected to keep defense spending level, but progressive Democrats are pushing to decrease the defense budget, a move Republicans and moderate Democrats are likely to oppose. The entire budget is expected to be released in May 2021. Administration officials have previously cited obstruction from the Trump budget office during the transition period and the lack of an OMB director as reasons for the delay.
Biden Administration Announces Community Corps to Boost Vaccine Confidence
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.