A new legislative study urges state officials in Pennsylvania to take a comprehensive look at the impact of housing on public health and the way that housing services under the Medical Assistance (MA) program address health care. The study by the Legislative Budget and Finance Committee (LBFC) is part of a growing emphasis on the issue of housing availability and affordability in Pennsylvania. Gov. Josh Shapiro issued an executive order last month directing the state Department of Community and Economic Development to work with groups to deliver a Housing Action Program within one year. Among the study’s recommendations are that the Governor’s Office and General Assembly convene a working group to address housing and health issues, including use of resources. It also recommended that the state Department of Human Services (DHS) develop more data on MA housing program health impacts and give counties more flexibility to increase the maximum fee allowed by law for affordable housing trust funds. Under a 1992 state law, counties have the option to raise revenue from recording fees on deeds and mortgages and establish trust funds for affordable housing.

In 2011, Tennessee-based company Community Health Systems operating locally as Commonwealth Health bought several local hospitals, including Tunkhannock’s Tyler Memorial. After 10 years of operation under Commonwealth Health, inpatient and surgical care ended in 2021, with emergency services coming to a halt in 2022. When the Tunkhannock hospital closed, community leaders stepped up to turn the closed hospital into a community health hub. A local family partnered with 18 organizations to offer residents accessible healthcare in the wake of the closure. The Wright Center is one of 18 partners operating within the new center. President and CEO Dr. Linda Thomas-Hemak saw the closure as part of an unfortunate trend of healthcare not centering around community needs. Click here to learn more.

The US Census Bureau has published the 2023 American Community Survey data on the uninsured in PA for 2022 and 2023 by county, population and percentage. PA did not see a significant change in the uninsured rate among non-elderly adults or public coverage rates among non-elderly adults from 2022 to 2023 based on the data. Non-elderly adults accessing private coverage saw a significant decrease. The same findings were true of children 0-18. Access more data here. 

The Pennsylvania Insurance Department announced the Affordable Care Act Health Insurance Rates offered on Pennie for 2025 for the individual and small group market. It is estimated that Pennsylvanians will save approximately $77.2 million in health insurance premiums. These rates reflect a statewide average increase of 6% for the individual market and a 7.6% increase for the small group market. While the majority of insurers will remain in the Pennie market, Cigna will exit for the 2025 enrollment period and UPMC will cease offering Pennie plans in Rating Area 6 consisting of Union, Snyder, Northumberland, Montour, Columbia, Centre, Mifflin, and Rating Area 7 which includes Adams, York, Lancaster, Berks, Lehigh, and Northampton. View the Rating Area Map.

In keeping with the Shapiro Administration’s commitment to eliminating barriers to licensure for qualified Pennsylvania workers and businesses, Secretary of the Commonwealth Al Schmidt today announced dramatic reductions in processing times for multiple professional and occupational licenses. The chart in the link below compares processing times from January 2023 and September 2024 for complete license applications for three categories of businesses and five professions. The three healthcare professions that were highlighted were: pharmacists, who saw their initial application by exam reduced from 26 days to 1 day; MD (U.S.-educated) were reduced from 43 days to 2 days; and physical therapists were reduced from 31 days to 2 days. Click here to learn more.

The Department of Health and Human Services’ (HHS) Office of Inspector General (OIG) released a report on Medicare and Medicaid enrollees’ access to medications for opioid use disorder (MOUD). Nearly 1 in 5 U.S. counties lack opioid treatment programs or any office-based providers of buprenorphine, a lifesaving MOUD. Rural areas are among the highest need areas that lack opioid treatment programs. Substance use and misuse issues are exacerbated by several unique challenges for rural communities. This includes behavioral health and detoxification services that are not as readily available, treatment access for substance use disorder may require travel long distances to access services, lack of education and resources to provide these services, and the disproportionate impact on rural communities by social determinants of health.

The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania is acting 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 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 4. Click here to take the survey.

The HHS Office of Infectious Disease and HIV/AIDS Policy (OIDP) is in the process of developing the 2026–2030 national strategic plans for sexually transmitted infections, vaccines, and viral hepatitis. The office is also collaborating with the White House Office of National AIDS Policy (ONAP) to develop the 2026–2030 National HIV/AIDS Strategy. For the plans to be most relevant and effective, OIDP and ONAP are inviting input from a wide variety of individuals and organizations with an interest in addressing these critical public health issues. As was the case with the current versions of the three national strategic plans and with the current and all the prior editions of the National HIV/AIDS Strategy, gathering input from community members, public health partners, and others is a key first step in the development process. You can submit your ideas via the online form until Dec. 6, 2024, at 5:00 pm.

Emergency department visits for pneumonia have been increasing, particularly among children and young adults. Some hospitals and college student health centers have reported clusters of cases of pneumonia due to Mycoplasma pneumoniae. National laboratory surveillance for respiratory viruses is also noting an increase in percent positivity for rhinovirus/enterovirus in PA. Testing for respiratory pathogens should be performed to guide appropriate management and treatment. PCR-based molecular tests are preferred for rapid and accurate diagnosis of both M. pneumoniae and rhinovirus/enterovirus. Antibiotics should not be used to treat viral infections. Macrolides are the first line of treatment for M. pneumoniae infections. Macrolide-resistant strains are emerging, but susceptibility testing is not generally available. Consider using tetracyclines or fluoroquinolones if a macrolide does not appear to be effective. Use transmission-based precautions (droplet and contact) to reduce spread in health care and community settings. Promote respiratory hygiene and encourage symptomatic individuals to stay at home. Encourage vaccination for influenza and other respiratory viruses to reduce the risk of co-infections. Report unusual clusters or outbreaks of respiratory illnesses to the Pennsylvania Department of Health by calling 1-877-PA-HEALTH (1-877-724-3258) or your local public health department. Individual cases of M. pneumoniae and rhinovirus infection are not reportable to the Department. The full HAN is available.

The purpose of this bulletin is to advise Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs) and Rural Health Clinics (RHCs) that the Pennsylvania Department of Human Services is continuing the alternative payment methodology to pay the Medical Assistance Program Fee Schedule rate for the administration of the novel coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) vaccine during a SARS-CoV-2 vaccine-only visit. In addition, this bulletin contains an updated The PROMISe™ Provider Handbook 837 Professional/CMS-1500 Claim Form, Appendix E – FQHC/RHC Handbook (FQHC/RHC Handbook) to clarify the payment methodology for vaccine-only visits.