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Pennsylvania Awarded Funding to Prepare for Suicide Prevention Lifeline 988 Launch

Posted on by lad3

Pennsylvania Department of Human Services (DHS) Secretary Teresa Miller today announced that Pennsylvania was awarded $340,000 for strategic planning and infrastructure development in preparation for the launch of National Suicide Prevention Lifeline’s 988 in July 2022. The 988 call number will eventually replace 1-800-273-TALK (8255) as the direct line for the Lifeline, easing access to life-saving crisis intervention services for people experiencing thoughts of suicide, their loved ones, and anyone helping someone in crisis.

“When a person is experiencing a crisis or suicidal ideation, quick response is critical to providing support. Transitioning the Lifeline to 988 will ease access for people in crisis and anyone looking to help and will save valuable time and lives,” said Secretary Miller. “This funding enables DHS and our partners to prepare for implementation and build capacity to support this eased access and bring together suicide prevention and crisis support networks so callers know that no matter what they are going through, they do not have to experience and overcome it alone.”

Funding will be used by DHS’ Office of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services in partnership with Thomas Jefferson University to support 13 crisis call centers in preparation for 988 implementation. This will include building capacity to support increased call volume, coordinating local behavioral health, suicide prevention, and crisis support infrastructure, and building awareness of the launch of 988 as the new way to reach the Lifeline. Call centers receiving funding through this effort include:

  • Center for Community Resources, Butler, PA;
  • Keystone Health Crisis Intervention Program, Chambersburg, PA;
  • Safe Harbor Behavioral Health, Erie, PA;
  • Valley Creek Crisis Center, Exton, PA;
  • TrueNorth Wellness Services, Hanover, PA;
  • Lancaster County Crisis Intervention, Lancaster, PA;
  • Family Service Association of Bucks County, Langhorne, PA;
  • Montgomery County Emergency Service, Inc., Norristown, PA;
  • The City of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA;
  • Resolve Crisis Services, Pittsburgh, PA;
  • Centre Helps, State College, PA;
  • Resources for Human Development, New Perspectives Crisis Services, Stroudsburg, PA; and,
  • Chestnut Ridge Counseling Services, Uniontown, PA.

The grant was awarded through Vibrant Emotional Health, a non-profit organization that helps individuals and families achieve emotional wellbeing. Vibrant, the administrators of the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline, supports the Lifeline and other crisis resources through telephone, text, and web-based platforms.Vibrant is supporting states preparing for the 988 transition so the Lifeline can continue to be America’s mental health safety net by providing emotional support for people in distress, reducing suicides and mental health crises, and providing a pathway to well-being for all.

“Access to mental health and crisis support has never been more critical for Americans,” said Kimberly Williams, President and CEO of Vibrant Emotional Health.  “Vibrant is committed to providing the states and territories with some of the resources they’ll need to plan for the implementation of 988 and to support their local crisis centers. By working together, we will increase access to care, reduce the stigma around mental health and, ultimately, save lives.”

In 2019, the Wolf Administration announced a first-of-its-kind, statewide Suicide Prevention Task Force to develop Pennsylvania’s statewide suicide prevention plan, a four-year strategy to reduce suicide in Pennsylvania and fight the stigma associated with suicide, suicide attempts, and mental health issues so that Pennsylvanians in crisis know their lives are valuable and help is available. The Suicide Prevention Task Force is made up of several state agencies, members of the General Assembly, and Prevent Suicide PA who will engage members of the public, stakeholders, county task forces, individuals, and families who are impacted by suicide every year.

“988 can save lives, particularly when used in conjunction with a variety of other measures that the state is working on,” said Representative Mike Schlossberg, co-chair of the Suicide Prevention Task Force. “Democrats and Republicans are dedicated to reducing suicide in Pennsylvania, and we’re looking forward to working together to implement the recommendations of the Suicide Prevention Task Force.”

The task force released Pennsylvania’s Statewide Suicide Prevention Plan in September 2020. The plan is a four-year strategy to reduce suicide in Pennsylvania by fighting stigma, increasing training and education on suicide and mental health, improving data collection for suicide, and supporting clinical practices and treatment to prevent suicide and help those who are struggling or in crisis know that things can and will get better. Ths task force will prioritize cross-industry partnerships to fully implement the Lifeline’s new 988 number over the coming year and a half.

“Thomas Jefferson University is pleased to continue its partnership with DHS to help Pennsylvania advance responsiveness to the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline,” said Dr. Matt Wintersteen, associate professor in the Department of Psychiatry & Human Behavior, Sidney Kimmel Medical College at Thomas Jefferson University. “This new planning grant affords state leadership and community stakeholders an opportunity to further advance crisis management ahead of the transition to 988.”

If you or someone you know is struggling with mental health or suicidal ideation or have in past, know that help is always available:

  • The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline is 1-800-273-TALK (8255).
  • The Spanish-language National Suicide Prevention Lifeline is 1-888-628-9454
  • For the Mental Health Crisis Text Line: Text PA to 74174
  • Persevere PA Support and Referral Helpline: 1-855-284-2494. For TTY, dial 724-631-5600.
  • TrevorLifeline for LGBTQ individuals: 866-488-7386
  • Trans Helpline: 877-565-8860

These free resources are available 24/7. If you are concerned about someone else’s well-being, these resources can help you be a life-saving assistance. No matter what you are going through, help is available.

For more information on Vibrant Emotional Health, visit www.vibrant.org.

Pennsylvania Governor’s 2021 Agenda Prioritizes Economic Recovery, Building on Bipartisan Measures, Government Reform 

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As the Pennsylvania General Assembly convenes for a new legislative session, Governor Tom Wolf outlined his agenda, in which he continues to prioritize ensuring that Pennsylvania businesses and workers have a path toward recovery following the COVID-19 pandemic, building on bipartisan progress by removing barriers to help everyday Pennsylvanians succeed, and demanding accountability through government reform.

“The COVID-19 pandemic has fundamentally changed Pennsylvania and exacerbated existing barriers for too many Pennsylvanians. It continues to have negative consequences for businesses, workers, and families throughout the commonwealth,” Gov. Wolf said. “To get Pennsylvania back on track from the disruptions the pandemic is causing, we need to make major, targeted investments to strengthen our economy, support workers and small business owners, rebuild our infrastructure, and help all Pennsylvanians build a path to financial security.”

As the governor prepares to make his annual Budget Address on February 2, he is calling for action on the following issues, which will retool our approach to break down these new obstacles and move Pennsylvania forward.

Get Pennsylvania Back on Track After the Pandemic
The COVID-19 pandemic has fundamentally changed Pennsylvania and exacerbated existing barriers for too many.

The pandemic has uniquely interrupted the everyday lives of workers and small business owners throughout the commonwealth. Governor Wolf understands that businesses and workers need each other to thrive, and both are key to economic recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic, so he has remained steadfast and is doubling down on his commitment to make Pennsylvania the best place to live, work, and do business.

Pennsylvania’s economic vitality is dependent on swift and targeted action to get Pennsylvanians back to work quickly in well-paying jobs in sectors that will lead our economy back to prosperity.

Immediately Allocate $145 Million to Pennsylvania Businesses  
Governor Wolf is once again calling on the General Assembly to appropriate $145 million in reserves from the Workers Compensation Security Fund to immediately allocate to businesses harmed by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Inject Billions into a Reformed Workforce Development System  
The COVID-19 pandemic has caused major disruptions and layoffs to Pennsylvania’s workforce, disproportionately impacting low-wage workers, people of color, people with disabilities, and certain industries. Our economic recovery requires a strategic investment in workforce development that addresses these inequities, supports workers most significantly impacted by the pandemic, and focuses on high-quality, well-paying jobs and careers. Building on the bipartisan Keystone Economic Development and Workforce Command Center, the governor is proposing a multi-billion-dollar injection into the workforce development system to provide rapid re-employment assistance to workers impacted by the pandemic and address barriers to employment.

Invest in Public Infrastructure, Including School Buildings  
Last year, the governor proposed a plan to remediate lead, asbestos and other hazardous materials from our schools using the Redevelopment Assistance Capital Program (RACP). The pandemic has shown that the digital divide in our schools is also a significant concern. The governor is proposing using the RACP program to fund not just hazard remediation to keep students safe when they return to school but also efforts to close the digital divide among our students by broadening the RACP eligibility criteria to include broadband providers and schools.

Urge the Federal Government to Take Action
With a new administration, the governor is asking the federal government to increase funding for broadband expansion, flood mitigation, contaminant remediation, blight, green infrastructure, and transportation projects that will help address local road and bridge upgrades and support new capital transit projects.

Increase the Minimum Wage to $12/hour, with a path to $15/hour 
As of 2021, 29 states and the District of Columbia have increased their minimum wages above the federal minimum wage of $7.25/hour. Pennsylvania’s minimum wage of $7.25 ($15,080 per year), has not increased in more than 10 years and is keeping Pennsylvania families living in poverty. While the cost of living for Pennsylvanians is increasing, the minimum wage has remained stagnant, limiting the purchasing power of low-wage workers trying to afford necessities.

The governor is proposing to increase the state minimum wage to $12 per hour effective July 1, 2021, with annual increases of $0.50 until the minimum wage reaches $15 per hour on July 1, 2027.

The COVID-19 pandemic has made raising the state’s embarrassingly low minimum wage more crucial than ever as thousands of essential workers are struggling to buy food and avoid homelessness.

A living wage lets people work their way out of poverty, improves productivity and morale for millions of workers, and reduces reliance on public benefits. Raising the wage floor also provides critical workforce needs, including early childhood educators and direct care workers caring for the most vulnerable Pennsylvanians.

Build on Bipartisan Progress
Over the past five years, Governor Wolf and the General Assembly have come together to take on big challenges by reforming pensions, taking nation-leading steps to reform our criminal justice system such as the passage of the nation’s first Clean Slate law, approving medical marijuana, and other major legislation that has modernized our commonwealth. Governor Wolf calls for building on this bipartisan progress by removing barriers for everyday Pennsylvanians to succeed.

 Reform the Criminal Justice System  
Building on efforts to reform our criminal justice system, the governor is proposing bail reform, indigent defense funding, a comprehensive expansion to our Clean Slate Law, probation reform and other policies that will build on bipartisan efforts to reform our criminal justice system.

 Build on Bipartisan Health Reform
Building on the overwhelming bipartisan support to establish the state-based health insurance exchange in Pennsylvania, increasing access to affordable care and saving money for both the state and taxpayers, Governor Wolf offers a plan that addresses comprehensive health reforms focusing on both physical and behavioral health and promoting affordability, accessibility and value in health care. The Health Value Commission, a key component to the health reform package, would be charged with keeping all payors and providers accountable for health care cost growth, to provide for the long-term affordability and sustainability of our health care system, and to promote whole-person care.

 Make it Easier for Pennsylvanians to Enter High-Demand Professions
Since developing his 2018 recommendations, Governor Wolf has worked with the legislature to significantly improve the professional licensing process in Pennsylvania, including knocking down obstacles for military spouses and those reentering the workforce after incarceration. Building on this work, the governor and the administration will continue to examine what licensure barriers still exist, particularly for veterans and new Pennsylvanians, and pursue additional reforms, so that we can better support workers and strengthen our economy.

Reduce the Corporate Net Income Tax and Close the Delaware Loophole
Governor Wolf is once again proposing to reduce the Corporate Net Income Tax from 9.99 to 9.49 percent on January 1, 2022, then continue to reduce the tax incrementally to 6.49 percent by 2026. The governor is also proposing to close the Delaware Loophole and shift to combined reporting to tax corporations as a single entity.

Legalize Adult-Use Cannabis 
In 2017, Pennsylvania legalized medical marijuana through bipartisan legislation. Now as our neighbors move toward legalizing recreational marijuana, Pennsylvania cannot afford to be left behind. Legalizing adult-use cannabis has strong bipartisan support among Pennsylvanians. The revenue generated from legalization will be used to support historically disadvantaged small businesses through grant funding and provide them the assistance they need to build back from the economic crisis and strengthen our economy. Additionally, a portion of the revenue will support restorative justice programs to help the individuals and communities that have been adversely harmed by the criminalization of marijuana.

Change Harrisburg by Demanding Accountability
Governor Wolf has proposed comprehensive government reform each year of his administration. He has implemented a gift ban and demanded transparency and accountability in his administration. The governor is again introducing a comprehensive plan to reform Harrisburg and meet the challenges before us.

Reintroduce the Governor’s Government Reform Plan 
On his first day in office, the governor banned members of his administration from accepting gifts. All public officials should be held to the same standard. Pennsylvania is one of 10 states with no specific law limiting gifts to public officials. Outside the executive branch, politicians in Harrisburg can take unlimited gifts from special interests. Legislative action is needed to make the gift ban expanded and permanent, so all state elected officials are accountable to it.

The governor is calling for enacting new campaign finance laws that would place limits on contributions to candidates seeking elected office, implement aggregate limits for races, place sensible restrictions on Political Action Committees (PACs), and strengthen reporting and disclosure requirements across the board to restore confidence in government, and curtail the role of campaign spending in our political process.

Curb Special Interest Influence
The governor is calling for implementing broader “pay-to-play” provisions requiring the disclosure of campaign contributions made by parties seeking state contracts.

The governor is calling for requiring public officials to submit receipts for taxpayer-funded expenses. In Governor Wolf’s administration and most of the private sector, employees pay for expenses, provide receipts and then are reimbursed. Currently, receipts are not required for all officials to be reimbursed with taxpayer dollars. The system should be reformed to cover all those serving in government, only allowing them to be reimbursed for the reasonable cost of travel, lodging, or food with an itemized receipt.

The governor’s plan would ban lobbyists from campaign work. In Pennsylvania, lobbying firms are allowed to operate campaign arms that work to elect or reelect legislators and once in office, those same firms then lobby legislators directly on behalf of their clients, creating a culture of undue access for big firms with deep pockets. This practice undermines public confidence and promotes a culture of political access that can only be bought with money, putting special interests ahead of the voters of Pennsylvania. The legislature should also more clearly define the relationships between legislators, lobbyists and political consultants.

Build on Election Reform 
Governor Wolf is calling on the legislature to allow pre-canvassing of ballots before Election Day to increase the speed and efficiency of counting ballots and reduce the window for misinformation that is inherent when ballot counting cannot begin until Election Day and there is a high demand for swift and accurate results. Following a successful election in 2020 where more Pennsylvanians voted by mail than ever before, allowing for pre-canvassing of ballots would further efforts to increase transparency and confidence in our election process.

The governor’s plan calls for same day voter registration. Currently, eligible voters have until 15 days prior to an election to register to vote, regardless of whether they register online, through the mail, or in person. With new opportunities to vote with no-excuse mail ballots, and early voting at county election offices, same-day registration would allow new voters to go to their precinct, register, and vote all in one visit. To verify their identification, eligible voters would need to provide a proof of residency and a form of identification. Funding would be allocated to assist counties in purchasing electronic poll books (EPBs), and to allow the commonwealth to build a closed network.

The governor is calling for strengthening voter intimidation restrictions. Voter intimidation can take many forms. For all voters to feel safe from intimidation when casting their ballot, legislation should be passed to prohibit firearms from being allowed in all polling locations.

2021 Health Insurance Marketplace Special Enrollment Period Announced

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Today, in accordance with the Executive Order issued today by President Biden, the Department announced a Special Enrollment Period (SEP) for individuals and families for Marketplace coverage in response to the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency, which has left millions of Americans facing uncertainty and exceptional circumstances while millions of Americans have experienced new health problems during the pandemic. This SEP will allow individuals and families in states with Marketplaces served by the HealthCare.gov platform to enroll in 2021 health insurance coverage. Beginning February 15, 2021 and through May 15, 2021, these Marketplaces will operationalize functionality to make this SEP available to all Marketplace-eligible consumers who are submitting a new application or updating an existing application. State-based Marketplaces (SBMs) operating their own platform have the opportunity to take similar action within their states.

“The Department is committed to ensuring that we deploy every available resource during the Public Health Emergency. This Special Enrollment Period will ensure that more individuals and families have access to quality, affordable health coverage during this unprecedented time,” said HHS Acting Secretary Norris Cochran.

To read the executive order, visit: https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/presidential-actions/2021/01/28/executive-order-on-strengthening-medicaid-and-the-affordable-care-act/

To read the press release, visit: https://www.hhs.gov/about/news/2021/01/28/hhs-announces-marketplace-special-enrollment-period-for-covid-19-public-health-emergency.html

To read the fact sheet, visit: https://www.cms.gov/newsroom/fact-sheets/2021-special-enrollment-period-response-covid-19-emergency

To see the White House fact sheet, visit:  https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/statements-releases/2021/01/28/fact-sheet-president-biden-to-sign-executive-orders-strengthening-americans-access-to-quality-affordable-health-care/

PA State Data Center Examines Black History Month

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Looking Ahead to Black History Month:  Racial Disparities in Educational Attainment

According to the 2019 American Community Survey 1-Year Estimates, a greater percentage Black/African American Pennsylvanians* did not finish high school or college than white Pennsylvanians* and the general population of Pennsylvania.

Approximately 12.1% of Black/African American Pennsylvanians attained less than a high school diploma (or equivalent) compared to only 7.5 percent of white Pennsylvanians.

Black/African American Pennsylvanians were also more likely to attend college without attaining a degree (20.9%) than white Pennsylvanians (15.3%). Of those who attended college, 42.4% of Black/African American Pennsylvanians did not attain a degree compared to 26.6% of white Pennsylvanians.

A lower percentage of Black/African American Pennsylvanians also attained Bachelor’s or advanced degrees than their white counterparts and the general population of Pennsylvania.

Only 12.9% of Black/African American Pennsylvanians achieved a Bachelor’s degree compared to 20.4% of white Pennsylvanians. Similarly, nearly double the percentage of white Pennsylvanians (13.1%) attained an advanced degree when compared to Black/African American Pennsylvanians (7.3%).

Click here to access the report.

American Heart Association Releases State Tobacco Control Report

Posted on by lad3

The American Heart Association has released their 19th annual “State of Tobacco Control” report evaluates states and the federal government on the proven-effective tobacco control laws and policies necessary to save lives. This year’s report focuses on the importance of ending tobacco use amid the pandemic, as smoking is a risk factor for the most severe illness from COVID‑19 symptoms. The report also discusses the actions the new Biden Administration and states need to take to prevent and reduce tobacco use.

Key Findings

  • With 1 in 5 teens vaping, our children are becoming the next generation addicted to tobacco. This is largely driven by flavored e-cigarettes. It’s imperative our states and the federal government pass policies to prevent youth from starting to use tobacco and to help everyone quit.
  • As a result of decades of targeting by Big Tobacco, many Americans, including Black people, LGBTQ people and persons with lower income are disproportionately harmed by tobacco-related death and disease.
  • The COVID-19 pandemic has placed increased attention on lung health. Since smoking increases the risk of the most severe impacts of COVID-19, preventing and reducing tobacco use is more critical than ever.

See how your state is doing.

New Research Briefs Released from the Philadelphia Reserve Bank

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Changes in Employment During the COVID-19 Recession
See new research that focuses on recent changes in employment by residents’ education, race, ethnicity, and gender in Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and Delaware. The research finds that overall, the employment rate fell by roughly 8 percentage points between May 2019–October 2019 and the same period in 2020, from 76.5 percent to 68.4 percent.

New Tool Allows Users to Explore Opportunities for Occupational Mobility
See the Occupational Mobility Explorer, which allows users to examine opportunities for workers to transfer their skills from one occupation to a similar — but higher-paying — occupation in the same labor market. The tool brings to life the data behind our recent report, Exploring a Skills-Based Approach to Occupational Mobility.

More on Transitions to Better-Paying Occupations
Read our new research that identifies pathways for COVID-19 displaced workers employed in the hardest-hit occupations in the Philadelphia metro area to translate their existing skills into higher-paying occupations, some of which were more resilient to the pandemic.

COVID-19 Federal Updates

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Vaccine Updates

Vaccine FAQs: CDC updated their FAQs page about the vaccines. This page answers commonly asked questions about COVID-19 vaccination.

Vaccine Resources: CDC updated their resource page on COVID-19 vaccines. On this page you can find when and where you can receive the vaccine, receive accurate vaccine information, and much more.

Resources on Approved Vaccines: CDC updated their resource page on the different types of vaccines. This web page explains how the body fights infection and how COVID-19 vaccines protect people by producing immunity. It also describes the different types of COVID-19 vaccines that currently are available or are undergoing large-scale (Phase 3) clinical trials in the United States.​

Vaccine Facts and Unknowns for Healthcare Providers: NIH officials highlight COVID-19 vaccine facts, unknowns for healthcare providers. Healthcare providers must be able to explain the latest data supporting the safety and efficacy of vaccines for coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) so they can strongly encourage vaccination when appropriate while acknowledging that uncertainty and unknowns remain.

Ensuring the Safety of Vaccines: CDC updated their page on ensuring vaccine safety. The U.S. vaccine safety system ensures that all vaccines are as safe as possible. Safety is a top priority while federal partners work to make this and other COVID-19 vaccines available.

Toolkits: CDC updated their toolkits, which include audience-specific information for healthcare teams and community administrators. CDC has toolkits for:

Testing

Lessons Learned from COVID-19 Testing: Last week, Secretary Azar delivered remarks at FREOPP on lessons from COVID-19 testing. Azar noted, “What we have done over this past year to develop the world’s largest testing system is not just unprecedented, but a uniquely American achievement—something that we could do because we believed in enlisting every creative corner of society and bringing the public and private sectors together.”

COVID-19 Contact Tracer Tools: CDC released their COVIDTracer and COVIDTracer Advanced which are spreadsheet-based tools that allow state- and local-level public health officials and policy makers to compare the effectiveness, and the resources needed, of three user defined contact tracing and monitoring strategies. Both tools allow you to estimate the potential effectiveness of each of the three strategies, the average number of contacts per case, and the time needed for case interviews and contact tracing follow-up activities.

Healthcare Facilities: CDC has updated their database for healthcare facilities that have implemented COVID-19 electronic case reporting.

Requirement for Proof of Negative COVID-19 Test or Recovery from COVID-19 for All Air Passengers Arriving in the United States: CDC updated their guidance for all people traveling to the US. If you plan to travel internationally, get tested before you travel by air into the United States (US), or be prepared to show proof of a recent positive viral test and a letter from your healthcare provider or a public health official stating that you were cleared to travel. On January 12, 2021, CDC issued an Order requiring all air passengers arriving to the US from a foreign country to get tested no more than 3 days before their flight departs and to present the negative result or documentation of having recovered from COVID-19 to the airline before boarding the flight. This Order will go into effect at 12:01am EST on January 26, 2021.

Proof of Negative COVID-19 Test Required for Passengers Arriving from the UK: CDC updated their guidance for people traveling from the UK to the US. If you travel from the United Kingdom to the United States, make plans to get tested before travel. This Order applies to all air passengers, 2 years of age or older, traveling from the UK to the US, including US citizens and legal permanent residents.

Treatment

Monoclonal Antibody Treatment for High Risk Covid-19 Positive Patients: HHS developed this fact sheet to help providers better understand monoclonal antibody treatment. Monoclonal antibody treatment has been shown to reduce hospitalization and symptom days in high risk COVID-19 patients with mild to moderate symptoms.

Potency Assay Considerations for Monoclonal Antibodies and Other Therapeutic Proteins Targeting SARS-CoV-2 Infectivity:  FDA is issuing this guidance to assist sponsors in the development of monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) and other therapeutic proteins for use as COVID-19 therapeutics. A critical quality control measure for these products is the development and implementation of a potency assay(s) adequate to ensure that each lot is consistently produced with the potency necessary to achieve clinical efficacy and that such potency is maintained over the shelf life of the product.

Understanding Your COVID-19 Treatment Options: HHS developed this fact sheet to help patients better understand their treatment options.

Reopening Guidance

Deciding How to Go Back to School: Many parents, caregivers, and guardians face new and difficult choices about how their child will return to school in the fall, such as deciding between in-person and virtual learning. This tool is designed to help parents, caregivers, and guardians weigh the risks and benefits of available educational options to help them make decisions about sending their child back to school. It is organized to provide parents and caregivers with information on COVID-19 and why safely reopening schools is so critical.

Information for Specific Populations

Global COVID-19: CDC updated their resource page for the COVID-19 global pandemic. CDC is working closely with the World Health Organization (WHO) and other partners to assist countries to prepare for and respond to COVID-19. CDC routinely provides technical assistance to ministries of health and subnational and international partners to improve our collective response to infectious disease threats like COVID-19.

Strategy for Global Response to COVID-19: CDC updated their strategy for global response to the COVID-19 pandemic. This strategy provides an overarching framework for the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s global response to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. The CDC strategy aligns with the U.S. Government (USG) strategy and the U.S. National Security Strategic goals to protect the American people and ensure the U.S. health security by mitigating the spread of infectious disease threats abroad.

COVID-19 At-Risk Medicare Population Dashboard, Related Online Tools to Support Pandemic Response: To aid state, territorial and local health departments in community-level pandemic response efforts such as implementing COVID-19 vaccination plans that meet the needs of Americans ages 65 and older, today we unveiled a suite of online tools built from existing programs and information technology platforms. Read the press release about this dashboard here.

Travel Associated Exposures: CDC updated their public health guidance on travel associated exposures. Individuals who travel may be at risk for exposure to SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, before, during, or after travel. This could result in travelers’ spreading the virus to others at their destinations or upon returning home.

Cleaner Air Shelters and Cleaner Air Spaces to Protect the Public from Wildfire Smoke: CDC updated their guidance to reduce the risk of introducing and transmitting SARS-CoV-2 in cleaner air shelters and cleaner air spaces. Cleaner air shelters and cleaner air spaces are public spaces where people can seek relief from wildfire smoke.

Dialysis Facilities: CDC updated their resource page for dialysis facilities. This page includes resources on infection control, testing, training and much more.

Animals and COVID-19: CDC updated their resource page on animals and COVID-19. Coronaviruses are a large family of viruses. Some coronaviruses cause cold-like illnesses in people, while others cause illness in certain types of animals, such as cattle, camels, and bats. Some coronaviruses, such as canine and feline coronaviruses, infect only animals and do not infect people.

Workplaces and Businesses: CDC updated their resource page for workplaces and businesses.  This page provides guidance’s and strategies to prevent and reduce COVID-19 transmission in workplaces.

Childcare Programs: CDC updated their toolkit for childcare programs. This toolkit includes posters, fact sheets, guidance and FAQs.

Travel: CDC updated their resource page for travel. This page has information on domestic and international travel, mask recommendations, and more. CDC also updated their travel health notices page, which lists current travel notices and outlines COVID-19 risks in different countries.

COVID-19 Rapid Response Team (RRT) Composition: For COVID-19, RRT activation may occur prior to detection of a COVID-19 case in a particular administrative area. Examples include when there is transmission in a neighboring administrative area or when the emergency response system has already been activated (e.g. Emergency Operations Center (EOC) activation or country-equivalent). Given the high risk of COVID-19 person-to-person transmission, countries can consider prepositioning multidisciplinary RRTs prior to large-scale transmission.

Enforcement Policy During the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) Public Health Emergency: FDA updated their guidance for coagulation systems for measurement of viscoelastic properties. FDA is issuing this guidance to provide a policy to help expand the availability of coagulation systems for measurement of whole blood viscoelastic properties that are used to assess hemostasis, for the duration of the COVID-19 public health emergency.

Protecting Participants in Bioequivalence Studies: FDA updated their guidance for protecting participants in bioequivalence studies during the COVID-19 public health emergency.

Funding

Provider Relief Fund Reporting Update: HHS, through HRSA, will be amending the reporting timeline for the Provider Relief Fund Program (PRF) due to the recent passage of the Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act. HHS has been working to provide updated reporting requirements that comply with this recently passed legislation. Consequently, PRF recipients will now be required to submit their reporting requirements on their use of these funds later than previously announced. PRF recipients may begin registering for gateway access to the Reporting Portal where they will ultimately submit their information in compliance with the new reporting requirements HHS is issuing.

Funds to Expand Immunization Information Sharing Collaboration: HHS acting through the Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology (ONC) announced a series of investments to help increase data sharing between health information exchanges (HIEs) and immunization information systems. ONC will award nearly $20 million in funds from the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act) signed by President Trump on March 27, 2020 to support the nation’s vaccination efforts to fight the COVID-19 pandemic.

CMS Updates

CMS Releases Additional Tools To Help State Medicaid and CHIP Agencies Plan For The Eventual Return To Regular Operations After The COVID-19 Public Health Emergency Ends: CMS released two tools to assist states and territories in their planning efforts to transition back to regular operations and resolve pending Medicaid, Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP), and Basic Health Program (BHP) eligibility and enrollment actions after the 2019 Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) public health emergency (PHE) ends.  These tools were announced in the Planning for the Resumption of Normal State Medicaid, Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP), and Basic Health Program (BHP) Operations Upon Conclusion of the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency State Health Official Letter that CMS released on December 22, 2020.

CMS Released Preliminary Medicaid COVID-19 Increased FMAP Expenditure Data: On a quarterly basis, states report summarized Medicaid expenditures on the Form CMS-64, which serve as the basis for the amount of FFP paid to states to fund the Medicaid program. CMS released preliminary Medicaid expenditure data that states reported to CMS through the Medicaid Budget and Expenditure System (MBES).   This information is summary level data for Medicaid service expenditures reported by states on the Form CMS-64 in MBES for the period of January 1, 2020 through March 31, 2020 and April 1, 2020 through June 30, 2020.  The data includes a breakout of expenditures associated with the Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA) section 6004 which provides a 100% Federal match to uninsured individuals eligible under the new “COVID-19 testing” optional Medicaid eligibility group and section 6008 which provides a temporary 6.2 percentage point increase to qualifying states and territory’s Federal Medical Assistance Percentage (FMAP).

Research

Evaluation of Abbott BinaxNow Rapid Antigen Test: CDC released a MMWR on evaluation of Abbott BinaxnNow rapid antigen test for sars-cov-2 infection at two community-based testing sites. Sensitivity of the BinaxNOW antigen test, compared with polymerase chain reaction testing, was lower when used to test specimens from asymptomatic (35.8%) than from symptomatic (64.2%) persons, but specificity was high. Sensitivity was higher for culture-positive specimens (92.6% and 78.6% for those from symptomatic and asymptomatic persons, respectively); however, some antigen test-negative specimens had culturable virus. The high specificity and rapid BinaxNOW antigen test turnaround time facilitate earlier isolation of infectious persons. Antigen tests can be an important tool in an overall community testing strategy to reduce transmission.

Emergence of SARS-CoV-2 B.1.1.7 Lineage: CDC released a MMWR on the emergence of SARS-CoV-2 1.1.7 mutation lineage. Modeling data indicate that B.1.1.7 has the potential to increase the U.S. pandemic trajectory in the coming months. CDC’s system for genomic surveillance and the effort to expand sequencing will increase the availability of timely U.S. genomic surveillance data. The increased transmissibility of the B.1.1.7 variant warrants universal and increased compliance with mitigation strategies, including distancing and masking. Higher vaccination coverage might need to be achieved to protect the public. Genomic sequence analysis through the National SARS-CoV-2 Strain Surveillance program will enable a targeted approach to identifying variants of concern in the United States.

COVID-19 Variants: CDC updated their resource page on emerging SARS-CoV-2 variants and their US cases caused by variants page. There has also been a new variant detected. Multiple SARS-CoV-2 variants are circulating globally. Scientists are working to learn more about these variants to better understand how easily they might be transmitted and the effectiveness of currently authorized vaccines against them. At this time, there is no evidence that these variants cause more severe illness or increased risk of death. New information about the virologic, epidemiologic, and clinical characteristics of these variants is rapidly emerging.

Pennsylvania Governor’s Administration Highlights Revolutionary PPE Shield That Protects Against COVID-19

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Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development (DCED) Secretary Dennis Davin and Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency (PEMA) Executive Deputy Director Jeff Thomas highlighted how Ramshield, Inc., an Exton-based healthcare product provider featured on the administration’s B2B Interchange Directory, is utilizing revolutionary technology to combat the spread of COVID-19 in the commonwealth.

“Pennsylvania’s businesses like Ramshield are using their skills, knowledge, and experience to benefit us all, and without their efforts, our road to recovery would be much longer and more difficult,” said DCED Secretary Davin. “We thank them for their work and remain steadfast in our commitment to supporting businesses and communities across the commonwealth through resources like the B2B Interchange Directory and other critical PPE portals.”

Made from materials sourced in the United States, the AVF Shield and Cartridge System Kit is a replaceable cartridge shield that uses patented technology to create an electrical charge to protect users from COVID-19. While the product is manufactured in the U.S., another component of the AVF cartridge—a sponge that holds moisture allowing for the electroceutical technology to stay activated for 10-12 hours at a time—is sourced directly from Pennsylvania.

“This pandemic has tested businesses in ways many of us never could have imagined,” said PEMA Executive Deputy Director Jeff Thomas. “Pennsylvania businesses that were able to transition to making PPE, or come up with new and innovative ways to protect our essential workers made it easier for the commonwealth to support the needs of our county and local partners over the last year.”

The AVF shields are designed to provide a comfortable seal and are intended for hours of use, and the shield can be used up to one year and easily washed with soap and water or in dishwashers. The manufacturer has obtained FDA Emergency Use Authorization for this product.

“We are thankful for the resources like the Business to Business Interchange Directory, which has been an important gateway in allowing Ramshield to provide critical PPE to those businesses in need throughout Pennsylvania during this pandemic,” said Samantha Partovi, President and Managing Director of Ramshield, Inc. “Ramshield is pleased to offer this new mask to help keep people safer with this effective, new technology in the fight against COVID and to help our fellow Americans get back to work and school.”

Ramshield, Inc. is a woman-owned provider of healthcare products that has developed several proprietary products that are new to the healthcare industry.  A team of healthcare professionals, consisting of engineers, sales and marketing executives lead the company to help hospitals improve patient care.

The Business-to-Business Interchange Directory connects organizations and businesses directly to manufacturers, distributors and suppliers of COVID-19-related products and supplies. This directory is made available to entities that contacted the commonwealth through the portals.

Pennsylvania Updates COVID-19 Vaccination Plan, Launches Eligibility Tool to Help People Prepare When Vaccine is Available

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The Pennsylvania Department of Health released the latest revised COVID-19 vaccination plan that includes people who are 65 and older, and those 16-64 with certain underlying medical conditions that make them more vulnerable to the disease.

“Pennsylvania is expanding our vaccination efforts to start including anyone over 65 and people ages 16-64 with serious medical conditions that make them more at risk for severe illness due to COVID-19,” said Cindy Findley, Department of Health’s Deputy Secretary for Health Promotion and Disease Prevention, and leader of the state’s Vaccine Task Force.

The CDC has defined this group as people who have conditions like Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD), cancer, sickle cell disease and chronic kidney disease. Pregnant women also are included in this group. A full list of these medical conditions is available in version 5 of the interim vaccine plan on the department’s website.

It is important to note that while the number of people eligible to get vaccinated is expanding, the allotment of vaccine doses that Pennsylvania is receiving from the federal government is not increasing.

“To help people determine when they are eligible for vaccination, and how to get vaccinated, we have developed a ‘vaccine eligibility quiz’ now online at pa.gov,” Findley said.

Once people complete the short vaccine eligibility quiz to determine if it is currently their turn to get vaccinated, they will go to the interactive map online to find a vaccine provider near them. They will schedule an appointment directly with that provider.

FAQs can be found here.

As of today, there are 4,582 individuals hospitalized with COVID-19. Of that number, 950 patients are in the intensive care unit with COVID-19. Most of the patients hospitalized are ages 65 or older, and most of the deaths have occurred in patients 65 or older. More data is available here.

The most accurate daily data is available on the website, with archived data also available.

Mask-wearing is required in all businesses and whenever leaving home. Consistent mask-wearing is critical to preventing the spread of COVID-19.

Journal of Health Politics and Law Special Issue Focuses on Biden Administration

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Health Policy and the Biden Administration

(Advanced Publication Articles)

A special issue of the Journal of Health Politics, Policy and Law (46:4)

Joe Biden takes office as president of the United States in the midst of a global pandemic, immense economic and social dislocation, recurrent reminders of racial injustice, acrimonious partisan divisions, and disquieting threats to American democracy. He comes to the presidency at a time that is anything but normal, with myriad challenges that will immediately confront his administration.

In this special issue of JHPPL, authors examine the obstacles and opportunities that await the incoming administration. Featuring essays on the future of the ACA, structural racism, COVID-19, the public option, and the opioid crisis, among other topics, “Health Policy and the Biden Administration” marks JHPPL’s first accounting of this new chapter in US health policy.