Gov. Tom Wolf unveiled a $36.1 billion state spending plan on February 4, 2020 that will rely on continued strong economic growth. He proposes no increases in the state’s sales or personal income tax rates. The Wolf administration says the budget plan raises state spending by about four percent. The proposed budget adds an additional $450,000 for the Primary Health Care Practitioner Program to bring the program total to $5 million as was requested by the Pennsylvania Association of Community Health Centers, the Pennsylvania Office of Rural Health, the Pennsylvania Academy of Family Physicians and the Pennsylvania Area Health Education Center program.

From the Governor’s Budget Book:

“Investing in our Public Health Workforce, the Primary Health Care Practitioner Program encourages primary care practitioners to practice in Health Professional Shortage Areas throughout Pennsylvania, helping to ensure health care access in underserved communities. An additional $450,000 for the Primary Health Care Practitioner Program will facilitate expanded access to quality, affordable primary health care in areas of need by increasing the volume of health care providers as well as helping to provide them with adequate resources to treat vulnerable populations. This additional investment will help to reduce the clinician shortage in Pennsylvania through a more robust support network that will entice more health care professionals to work in the commonwealth.” 

Additional information on the proposed budget can be found here.

Together with the Juvenile Law Center, the Pennsylvania Partnerships for Children (PPC) are championing policy reforms for older youth in the foster care system and have produced several resources to articulate the needs of this population. This week PPC released their third fact sheet in a series about Transition Age Youth, which seeks to educate policymakers on ensuring foster youth successfully transition to adulthood. In the coming weeks and months, PPC will work with their partners in the legislature to advance legislation to enhance permanency services for these youth. To date, Rep. Karen Boback, Chair of the House Children and Youth Committee, has filed a co-sponsor memo to introduce the legislation that would enact these needed reforms.

With so much going on in the world of health care and beyond, it would be easy to have missed what’s happened. Pennsylvania Partnerships for Children (PPC) has developed highlights of the latest on Public Charge, CMS’ proposed “Fiscal Accountability” Rule and CMS’ issued guidance on Block Grants. Additionally, PPC released new fact sheets on Medicaid and CHIP enrollment in Pennsylvania by Congressional, State Senate and State House legislative districts (the first time we’ve ever presented enrollment datPreview (opens in a new tab)a at this state level!). Read on…

Saddled with chronic health workforce shortages, widespread substance misuse and high HIV transmission rates, rural care networks – often staffed by volunteers and peer counselors – increasingly are the backbone of care delivery in small town America, HRSA Administrator Tom Engels told some 500 conference attendees at the Rockville Hilton last month.

The audience consisted of participants in three outreach programs run by HRSA’s Federal Office of Rural Health Policy. The programs have infused some $29 million in seed money into remote pockets of the country to help advocates and providers form local healthcare partnerships.

Read about the Rural Partnership Development Meeting.

It can be difficult to communicate the benefits of living and working in a rural area. Even though Pennsylvania’s rural regions are often within an hour or two of a large town or city, it’s still a commitment for a physician, dentist or other clinician to work in rural areas. EduMed.org, a web-based organization that connects students with educational opportunities, has produced the page “Why You Should Work in Rural Healthcare, and How to Thrive When You Do“ to help you tell your story and make candidates more comfortable with and accepting of working in a rural setting. Some of the articles relate to working in any underserved area.

The Nurse Corps Loan Repayment Program is now accepting applications through Thursday, March 12, 2020. Nurse Corps supports registered nurses (RNs), advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs) and nurse faculty by paying up to 85% of their unpaid nursing education debt. In exchange, participants serve for at least two years at a health care facility with a critical shortage of nurses or an eligible school of nursing in the case of nurse faculty. Before you apply, learn about application details including eligibility and service requirements in the 2020 Application and Program Guidance. Program highlights for 2020 include:

• To combat the nation’s opioid crisis, special funding has been provided for psychiatric nurse practitioners. Learn more by listening to a previously recorded webinar
• To increase the field strength of nurses that provide maternity care to women living in rural and underserved communities, there is a percentage of Nurse Corps funds dedicated to nurses specializing in women’s health

Before you apply, read the annually updated Application and Program Guidance. Make sure you understand the terms and conditions of the Nurse Corps contract, which outlines the requirement for fulfilling your minimum two years of service at an eligible critical shortage facility.

Presents the prepublication requirements and elements for performance for the National Patient Safety Goals (NPSG) chapter on suicide prevention. Notes that these requirements will apply to Critical Access Hospitals beginning on July 1, 2020.

Jan 15, 2020 — The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) released the draft 2020-2025 Federal Health IT Strategic Plan, which outlines federal health information technology goals regarding patients’ access to their health information. HHS is requesting public comments to be submitted by March 18, 2020.

Searchable library of curated, evidence-based resources on opioids and the opioid crisis. Includes documents and reports, legislation, videos, and websites on topics such as addiction treatment, harm reduction, prevention, recovery, and pain management. Provides information targeted to policymakers and community leaders; payers and providers; and patients and caregivers.

Jan 17, 2020 — This report highlights several school-based telehealth programs that are addressing the healthcare needs of students in rural and underprivileged areas. Addresses the challenges of implementing these programs but explains how equal access to healthcare has improved student attendance and learning.