A majority of the Supreme Court appeared inclined Monday to reject a conservative challenge to the Affordable Care Act (ACA), leaving in place the federal government’s authority to require insurers to cover everything from depression screenings to HIV prevention drugs at no cost to patients. Source: Politico

Pennsylvania health officials are facing down a potential $500 million loss of federal funding but are tight-lipped about which programs and how many people might be affected by the Trump administration’s decision. The funding helps Pennsylvania purchase and administer vaccines, monitor the spread of infectious diseases like measles and influenza, and contact people who might have been exposed to dangerous pathogens. Source: Spotlight PA

Tick-bite-related emergency department visits have increased recently in Pennsylvania. Healthcare providers should have a heightened clinical suspicion for tickborne diseases in persons with clinically compatible symptoms. Rare tickborne diseases, including hard tick relapsing fever and Powassan virus, continue to be found in ticks in multiple Pennsylvania counties, and human cases have been reported. Alpha gal allergy syndrome has been reported in Pennsylvania residents; health care providers should consider alpha gal allergy syndrome in persons presenting with mammalian meat allergies. The full HAN is available.

CMS issued a request for information on regulatory relief in the Medicare program. CMS seeks public input on approaches and opportunities to streamline regulations and reduce administrative burdens on providers, suppliers, beneficiaries, Medicare Advantage and Part D plans, and other stakeholders participating in the Medicare program. Responses are due June 10, 2025, via this form.

U.S. Senator Bill Cassidy, M.D. (R-LA), chair of the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee, released a report detailing findings from his years’ long investigation into how covered entities use and generate revenue from the 340B Drug Pricing Program. Cassidy also outlined potential reforms needed to improve the program to better serve patients. “This investigation underscores that there are transparency and oversight concerns that prevent 340B discounts from translating to better access or lower costs for patients. Congress needs to act to bring much-needed reform to the 340B Program,” said Dr. Cassidy. “I look forward to continuing my efforts to bring transparency and improvements to the 340B Program.” As part of his investigation into the 340B Program, Cassidy requested information from hospitals, Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs), contract pharmacies, and drug manufacturers to better understand how revenue flows throughout the 340B Program and how covered entities use 340B revenue to benefit patients. Cassidy laid out potential reforms for Congress to improve transparency in the 340B Program and ensure vulnerable patients directly benefit from revenue created by discounted drugs:

·    Require covered entities to provide detailed annual reporting on how 340B revenue is used to ensure direct savings for patients, providing a more transparent link between program savings and patient benefit.

·    Address potential logistical challenges caused by increased administrative complexity, leading to burdens that may impede patient benefit from the program.

·    Investigate the types of financial benefits contract pharmacies and TPAs receive for administering the 340B Program to ensure that increasing fees do not disadvantage covered entities and patients.

·    Require transparency and data reporting for entities supporting participants in the 340B Program (i.e., contract pharmacies and TPAs).

·    Provide clear guidelines to ensure that manufacturer discounts actually benefit 340B-eligible patients, including examining legislative changes to the definition of eligible patient and contract pharmacies’ use of the inventory replenishment model.

Read the full report here.

Authors: Michelle Mills, Chief Executive Officer, Colorado Rural Health Center; Kevin J. Bennett, Professor, University of South Carolina School of Medicine-Columbia  

A defining theme in early 2025 has been reducing federal government expenditures, with the health care sector not being spared from the discussions.  The withdrawal or reduction of federal support for Medicaid will have potentially devastating impacts on access to essential healthcare services, particularly for vulnerable rural populations such as the elderly, low-income families, and those with chronic conditions. Thus, the National Rural Health Association (NRHA), along with multiple partners both at the federal and state levels have been advocating for maintaining the federal support for Medicaid.

In rural communities, more people receive and rely on Medicaid coverage than their urban counterparts, due to lower incomes, greater percentage of older adults, higher cost of private insurance, and fewer private coverage options.  Nearly 40% of children living in rural communities are covered by Medicaid and CHIP, while almost 20% of non- elderly adults are covered.ⁱ Cuts to these populations covered under Medicaid and CHIP would be devastating for rural families. Costs of care for our most vulnerable rural residents would rise to unsustainable levels.

If Medicaid funding is reduced, then it will result in higher rates of uninsurance across the US, with a higher impact in our most vulnerable rural areas.  These are parents, children, and working adults who would no longer be able to obtain needed health care due to it being unaffordable.  These are our neighbors, many of whom have chronic diseases that have to be regularly managed. Without coverage, many would go without care and end up in the emergency room or inpatient facility, resulting in uncompensated care that they will not be able to pay.

Ultimately, reductions in Medicaid funding will force rural facilities to shut their doors and rural residents to lose access to necessary care. NRHA calls on Congress to act as a unified, bipartisan voice to protect Medicaid funding that is vital to the health and economic sustainability of rural communities across the nation. 

Read more.

The PBDA held two webinars providing an overview of the Digital Connectivity Technology (DCTP) Program. These webinars also included presentations from Round One successful applicants, who offered insight to their projects and answered questions from webinar attendees. You can now view the recording of one of those webinars and the presentation utilized during the webinar, on the PBDA’s program page.

As a reminder, the applications for the DCTP will close at 11:59 PM, on Friday May 30, 2025. Additional resources to include updated FAQs can be found on the program page.

Any questions regarding the program, please do not hesitate to contact the PBDA.

The ASERT Collaborative (Autism Services, Education, Resources and Training) is a statewide partnership that provides streamlined access to information for Pennsylvanians living with and impacted by autism. In partnership with UPMC for You Dental Care Managers, ASERT developed a resource for parents and caregivers to help children with autism prepare for dental visits. The content covers learning to tolerate tooth brushing, establishing dental hygiene routines, and getting ready for dental visits. There are also social stories for getting teeth cleaned, getting x-rays, and getting a cavity filled. Printed resources are also available upon request.

Click here to view the resources.