Twelve Years of the Affordable Care Act. March 23rd marked the anniversary of the landmark law that has helped millions of Americans gain access to health coverage. The U.S. Department of Health & Human Services has issued a series of briefs over the last year analyzing how that coverage affected different segments of the population, including rural residents, older adults, immigrants, and ethnic/racial minorities.
Population Fell In Three Quarters Of US Counties In 2021
From the Washington Post
Almost three-quarters of all U.S. counties reported more deaths than births last year, a development largely caused by the pandemic, which contributed to a dramatic slowing in the nation’s overall population growth, according to data released Thursday by the Census Bureau. Low fertility rates, which have persisted since the end of the Great Recession, and the nation’s continuing demographic shift toward an older population also combined to create the smallest population increase in 100 years, said Kenneth M. Johnson, a sociology professor and demographer at the University of New Hampshire. He said he expected the data to show a natural decrease but was surprised at its scale. Natural decrease occurs when a population records more deaths than births. (Kunkle, 3/24)
Click here to read the article.
2022 Colgate Bright Smiles Kids Award Nominations Being Accepted
In 2022, Colgate is encouraging children ages 6-14 to unleash their optimism and creativity to inspire the kind of future we can all smile about. Now, until April 8, 2022, Colgate BSBF will be accepting video entries (up to 2-minutes) of musical, scientific, artistic, journalistic, technology-focused, culinary, or other projects highlighting how optimism can positively impact our lives and futures. Ideas and inspiration can be found on their website, along with contest rules and regulations. Finalists will be determined by an advisory panel and winners will be selected by a live audience. The first-place national award winner will receive $10,000 for their school or organization. Second and third-place winners will be awarded $5,000 and $2,500 respectively. Ideas and inspiration can be found on the Colgate Bright Smiles Bright Future website, along with contest rules and regulations.
Teledentistry Helps Provide the Right Care at the Right Time
The CareQuest Institute for Oral Health presents a report on the best uses of teledentistry. This research report discusses the use of teledentistry for dental triage, follow-up care, and in place of in-person visits for patients with less access to care, such as those in rural areas.
ICYMI: “Oral Health for All: Realizing the Promise of Science”
Dr. Vivek Murthy, U.S. Surgeon General, co-authored an editorial focusing on oral health. The highest burden of dental and oral disease is shouldered by marginalized and chronically underserved groups. Moving forward, we will need to forge a path for oral health care that prioritizes overall health, prevention, expanded access, affordability, and equity.
Dental Workforce Numbers Continue to Plague Pennsylvania
The PA Coalition for Oral Health (PCOH) recognizes the dental workforce challenges facing our state and is currently working with private consultants and student interns to do a complete analysis of the extent of these issues, both for licensees and Medicaid providers. Be on the lookout for upcoming webinars throughout the remainder of the year when we will share our findings.
Pennsylvania’s 2022 Annual Ambulance Reimbursement Conference
The Ambulance Association of Pennsylvania (AAP) Presents
Pennsylvania’s 2022 Annual Ambulance
Reimbursement Conference
May 3 – May 4, 2022
National and State reimbursement issues
Emergency and Non-Emergency Medical Services Compliance
- Medicare and Federal Update
- Money of the Future: Generating Revenue Through EMS Alternative Delivery Models
- Defeat the Villians of EMS Billing
- Increased Ambulance Reimbursements Through Medicaid Bridge Funding Programs
YOU CAN NOT AFFORD TO MISS THIS VITAL INFORMATION!
View the speakers and agenda here: Conference Info
Registration/Payment and Cancellation Procedure(s):
YOU MUST PRE-REGISTER ONLINE HERE (Members must be signed in to receive the members-only discount).
- Payment must be received with your registration or a few days after (if paying by invoice). For your convenience, we now accept Visa, Mastercard, and Discover credit card payments online.
- Please make check payable to the Ambulance Association of Pennsylvania. If mailing a check, payment must be received by April 26, 2022.
- Cancellations made prior to April 26, 2022, will be subject to a $25.00 administrative fee. No refunds will be made for cancellations after April 26th.
Mail payments with a copy of your invoice to:
Ambulance Association of PennsylvaniaPO Box 60183Harrisburg, PA 17106-0183
Questions???
Call 717-512-5609 or email Heather Sharar.
Pennsylvania Public Health Preparedness Ranked in the Top Tier on Performance
Trust for America’s Health (TFAH) has released their yearly report, “Ready or Not 2022: Protecting the Public’s Health from Diseases, Disasters, and Bioterrorism.” It measures states’ degree of preparedness to respond to a wide spectrum of health emergencies and to provide ongoing public health services, including disease surveillance, seasonal flu vaccination, safe water, and expanded healthcare services during emergencies. It tiers states and the District of Columbia into three performance levels: high, middle, and low, placing 17 states and DC in the high-performance tier, 20 states in the middle-performance tier, and 13 states in the low-performance tier. According to the report, Pennsylvania “demonstrated exceptional progress, elevating from the low tier to the high tier.”
Final Recommendation Statement Releases Screening for Eating Disorders in Adolescents and Adults
The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) released a final recommendation statement on screening for eating disorders in adolescents and adults. The Task Force determined there is not enough research to make a recommendation for or against screening for eating disorders in those without signs or symptoms. To view the recommendation, the evidence on which it is based, and a summary for clinicians, please go here.
Million Hearts 2027: Prevention and Equity Begins in February
In February 2022, in a continued effort to improve cardiovascular health and outcomes, Million Hearts® launched their latest initiative, “Million Hearts® 2027.” This new initiative focuses on the goal of preventing one million heart attacks and strokes over the next five years. You can find the initiative’s highly detailed and evidence-based plan on the newly revamped Million Hearts website. These plans lay out the targets that they have set and how individuals of all professions can contribute. There will be three priority levels – Building Healthy Communities, Optimizing Care, Focusing on Health Equity. Learn more.