The following is an update of selected state health policy developments in Pennsylvania for the week of July 5-9, 2021.  (Some of the language used below is taken directly from state documents.)

State Revenue Collections

According to the Independent Fiscal Office’s Monthly Revenue Update, the state collected $3.77 billion in June, the last month of the fiscal year; that was $350.7 million, or 10.3 percent, more than projected.  This strong monthly performance was led by growth in corporate net income tax collections, which were 42.2 percent higher than anticipated.  Pennsylvania ended FY 2020-21 with the largest budget surplus in the state’s history:  $3.4 billion more than anticipated.

Department of Human Services

COVID-19:  By the Numbers

  • The daily number of new COVID-19 cases and deaths remained down and steady over the past week.
  • The number of Pennsylvanians hospitalized with COVID-19 and on ventilators and in hospital ICUs because of it remained down and steady.
  • To date, nearly 1.2 million Pennsylvanians have contracted COVID-19, among them 29,000 health care workers and 88,000 residents and staff of nursing facilities and personal care homes.  27,700 Pennsylvanians have died from the virus.
  • For the week from June 25 through July 1 the state’s overall COVID-19 test positivity rate was 1.1 percent, down from 1.2 percent last week and 1.4 percent the week before.
  • 5.5 million Pennsylvanians have been fully vaccinated against COVID-19, according to the state’s COVID-19 dashboard, but only 82,000 have completed the full vaccination regimen in the past week; another 9000 Philadelphians have done so as well.  According to the state, 60.5 percent of Pennsylvanians 18 years of age and older are now fully vaccinated and 63.0 percent of the entire population has now received at least the first dose of a vaccine.

Department of Drug and Alcohol Programs

The Department of Drug and Alcohol Programs has sent a reminder to stakeholders that under the federal Health Resources and Services Administration’s (HRSA) Substance Use Disorder Treatment and Recovery Loan Repayment Program, HRSA will provide up to $250,000 in loan repayment to substance abuse disorder health professionals in exchange for a six-year, full-time service commitment in rural and underserved areas.  Facilities interested in hiring or supporting current substance use disorder health professionals who receive loan repayment must apply to become an approved facility.  Learn more about the HRSA program here and apply to become an approved facility to employ current substance use disorder professionals here.  Applications are due July 22.

Around the State

  • The Department of Health is hiring a new contractor to run its COVID-19 contact tracing program after firing its old contractor after a major data breach.  Spotlight PA explains who, why, and how much.
  • Western Pennsylvania hospitals, nursing homes, assisted living facilities, personal care homes, and home care agencies are experiencing a major shortage of nurses.  The Pittsburgh Tribune-Review details the extent of the problem.
  • A new law passed late last month gives Pennsylvania parents the right to have their children repeat the grade they just finished because of the learning loss they believe their children experienced during remote schooling while the COVID-19 pandemic raged.  Parents must make a decision and file appropriate paperwork by July 15.  The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette offers the details.
  • The Butler County commissioners have unanimously voted to end their emergency declaration, KDKA Pittsburgh reports, “… because the vaccination site at the county mall is closed and they no longer require the state’s emergency funding.”
  • A new law in Pennsylvania “…will require treatment facilities to notify a patient’s emergency contacts if they leave a rehab center against medical advice,” the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports, adding that “Heather’s Law, as it’s called, will take effect in 60 days and is named after a woman who overdosed and died 12 hours after leaving a treatment facility in Pennsylvania.  Her family wasn’t aware she had left.”  Learn more here.
  • “After more than five months of discussions and one meeting with Tower Health’s board of directors, Lehigh Valley Health Network and StoneBridge Healthcare have decided not to make an offer to acquire the financially ailing Reading-based health system,” according to the Philadelphia Business Journal.  Tower Health’s hospitals include Reading Hospital, Brandywine Hospital, Chestnut Hill Hospital, Jennersville Hospital, Phoenixville Hospital, Pottstown Hospital, and St. Christopher’s Hospital for Children, a partnership of Tower Health and Drexel University.
  • “Geisinger Health Plan has expanded its Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) coverage to eight more Pennsylvania counties including all five in the Philadelphia region.  GHP Kids coverage is now available for uninsured children and teens, up to age 19, in 48 of Pennsylvania’s 67 counties,” the Philadelphia Business Journal writes

Stakeholder Events

  • Health Research Advisory Committee Meeting

July 12 at 10:00 a.m.

The public meeting will be held virtually by means of Microsoft Teams at (267) 332-8737 with Conference ID: 689 378 043#.

  • Newborn Screening and Follow-Up Technical Advisory Board

July 15 at 10:00

The virtual public meeting will be conducted as a teleconference Skype meeting.  The dial-in number is (267) 332-8737 and the conference access ID is 63145728#.

  • Special Pharmaceutical Benefits Program

July 29, 2021 at 10:00

This is a telephone meeting.

Join on your computer or mobile app

Click here to join the meeting

Or call in (audio only)

+1 412-648-8888,,785376728#   United States, Pittsburgh

(866) 588-4789,,785376728#   United States (Toll-free)

Phone Conference ID: 785 376 728#