The following is an update of selected state health policy developments in Pennsylvania from March 11 to March 17.  (Some of the language used below is taken directly from state documents.)

General Assembly

  • The General Assembly will begin hearings examining Governor Shapiro’s FY 2023-24 budget proposal next week.  A complete schedule for the House Appropriations Committee can be viewed here and a complete schedule for the Senate Appropriations Committee can be found here.  The following are the schedules for the Department of Health and the Department of Human Services budget hearings.
    • Tuesday, March 28:  Department of Health – House Appropriations Committee
    • Tuesday, April 11:  Department of Human Services – House Appropriations Committee
    • Wednesday, April 12:  Department of Human Services – Senate Appropriations Committee
    • Thursday, April 13:  Department of Health – Senate Appropriations Committee
  • The House and Senate are currently recessed.  They will return to Harrisburg on Monday, April 24 following the conclusion of budget hearings.

Department of Health

The federal Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services has informed the Department of Health that the approved CMS waiver extending the deadline for temporary nurse aides to complete required examinations is in effect until May 11, 2023.  Learn more about the implications of the expiration of this waiver and how nurse aide candidates can continue to work while pursuing certification from this Department of Health notice.

The Department of Health’s Medical Marijuana Advisory Board will add chronic hepatitis C as a qualifying serious medical condition for medical marijuana use in Pennsylvania.  Learn more from this Pennsylvania Bulletin notice.

COVID-19:  By the Numbers           

  • The number of new COVID-19 cases reported daily in Pennsylvania fell 19 percent last week after a similar 19 percent decline last week and 17 percent the previous week.  The number of daily deaths is holding steady.
  • According to the Department of Health, the number of Pennsylvanians hospitalized with COVID-19 fell 14 percent last week after a 16 percent decline the previous week and a nine percent decline the week before that.  The number of COVID-19 patients on ventilators and in hospital ICUs held steady over the past two weeks.
  • The CDC reports a 10 percent decline in the seven-day daily average of new hospital admissions in Pennsylvania because of COVID-19 after an 18 percent decline the previous week and a 13 percent decline the week before that.
  • For the week ending March 15, 24 Pennsylvania counties experienced a moderate rate of community transmission of COVID-19; 20 counties experienced a substantial rate of community transmission; and the remaining 33 counties experienced a high rate of community transmission.

Stakeholder Events

DHS – Medical Assistance Advisory Committee – Consumer Subcommittee – March 22

The consumer subcommittee of the Medical Assistance Advisory Committee will meet virtually on Wednesday March 22 at 1:00.  Go here to register to participate.

March 22 – Medicaid and CHIP Continuous Enrollment Unwinding Webinar – March 22

CMS will hold a webinar on the unwinding of Medicaid and CHIP continuous enrollment and what providers need to know and how to prepare for that unwinding on Wednesday, March 22 at noon (eastern).  During the webinar, CMS officials will review recently released CMS unwinding resources to help partners with their outreach efforts and respond to questions about Medicaid renewals and terminations, Medicaid to marketplace transitions, Medicaid to Medicare transitions, communication and outreach strategies, and more.  Go here to register to participate.  CMS will offer the same webinar on April 26, May 24, and June 28.  Go here and scroll down for materials from previous webinars on Medicaid unwinding.

DHS – Medical Assistance Advisory Committee – March 23

The Medical Assistance Advisory Committee will hold its next public meeting virtually on Thursday, March 23 at 10:00.  Go here to register to participate.

DHS – Medical Assistance Advisory Committee – Managed Long-Term Services and Supports Subcommittee Meeting April 5

The Medical Assistance Advisory Committee’s managed long-term services and support subcommittee will hold a public meeting on Wednesday, April 5 at 10:00 in Harrisburg.  For information about how to join the meeting in person or participate remotely, see this DHS notice.

Department of Drug and Alcohol Programs – Adolescent ASAM Criteria – May 16

The Department of Drug and Alcohol Programs is offering training on adolescent ASAM criteria, to be delivered virtually, for participants who already understand the foundational aspects of the ASAM criteria.  The purpose of this training is to explore and discuss the adolescent-specific aspects of the ASAM criteria and offer participants a practical focus through lecture, real-world clinical vignettes, and case studies.  The program will be held on May 16 at 8:30.  Continuing education credits are available.  Learn more about the program, including requirements for participation and how to join, from this Department of Drug and Alcohol Programs notice.  Please note that this program is identical to one offered on March 9.