The following is an update of selected state health policy developments in Pennsylvania for the week of October 11-15, 2021.  (Some of the language used below is taken directly from state documents.)

Governor Wolf

Governor Wolf announced a new grant program to support community organizations conducting outreach on COVID-19 vaccines.  The $5 million COVID-19 Vaccine Outreach Grant Program is available to eligible organizations, including non-profits, child care, and educational institutions.  The program will provide grants from $10,000 up to $100,000 to support targeted outreach efforts such as sponsorship of vaccine-related community events, equipment rental to assist with setting vaccine appointments, local media buys, creation of outreach and training materials, and more.  Learn more about the program from this news release from the governor’s office and the program’s web page, which includes a link to application guidelines.  The deadline for the first round of grant applications is November 1.

General Assembly

The House of Representatives’ Democratic Policy Committee held a hearing this week titled “Saving Community Hospitals:  Keeping Care Close.”  The informational hearing, held in Downingtown, focused heavily on Tower Health’s recent decision to sell Chestnut Hill Hospital and close Jennersville Hospital.  Labor issues, including clinical staffing levels, also were discussed.  Panelists included representatives from SEIU Healthcare, the Pennsylvania State Association of Staff Nurses and Allied Professionals (PASNAP), and first responders.  A press release issued following the hearing can be found here.  The same committee will hold another hearing in Stroudsburg on Monday, October 18 at 1:00 p.m. focused on consolidation in the health care sector.

Department of Human Services

Department of Health

The departments of Human Services and Health have announced that the Regional Congregate Care Assistance Teams (RCAT) will continue to provide COVID-19 prevention, preparation, and response support to long-term-care facilities from October 1, 2021 through December 31, 2021.  More information, including contact information for each regional lead, can be found here.

The Department of Health has developed a series of new vaccine hesitancy materials to assist long-term-care facilities with their vaccine outreach efforts.  These materials include:

Department of Drug and Alcohol Programs

The Department of Drug and Alcohol Programs (DDAP) will propose changes to modernize the confidentiality of substance use records in the state, the department informed stakeholders in a message delivered through its listserv.  Another message to stakeholders elaborates on the department’s intentions.

In preparation for this undertaking, DDAP surveyed stakeholders on the state’s substance use confidentiality policies and has posted the appendices to its summary report.

COVID-19:  By the Numbers

  • The daily number of new COVID-19 cases remained very high this week and today it passed the 1.5 million mark since the pandemic began.  Approximately 31,780 of these cases have been among health care workers.
  • The number of COVID-19 cases among school-aged children (between 5-18 years old) is nearly six times greater this year than in 2020.  Between October 6 and October 12, 2020 there were 1101 COVID-19 cases in school-aged kids compared to 6433 cases in the same age group during the same week this year.
  • The number of new COVID-19-related deaths continues to rise slightly.  This week Pennsylvania passed 30,000 deaths from the disease since the pandemic began.
  • Every county in Pennsylvania continues to experience a high level of COVID-19 transmission.
  • The number of Pennsylvanians hospitalized because of COVID-19, on ventilators because of the disease, and being treated in hospital ICUs has remained relatively steady since the beginning of the month.
  • 70.1 percent of Pennsylvanians 18 years of age and older are now fully vaccinated – nearly 6.4 million people.  3000 Philadelphians and 77,000 other Pennsylvanians were recorded as completing a vaccine regimen in the past week; the latter number represents a much larger weekly total than in recent months.

Stakeholder Events

Independent Regulatory Review Commission – Consideration of Department of Drug and Alcohol Regulation – October 21

Pennsylvania’s Independent Regulatory Review Commission will consider final-omitted rulemaking Standards for Drug and Alcohol Recovery House Licensure (#74-4).  The commission will be considering a revised version of a proposed regulation it rejected in July.  To review a history of the regulation and its latest version, go here.  To register to view the meeting virtually or offer testimony, send an email to irrchelp@irrc.state.pa.us.

Infant Hearing Screening Advisory Committee- October 21

The Department of Health’s Infant Hearing Screening Advisory Committee will hold a virtual public meeting on Thursday, October 21, 2021 at 1:00.  Go here for information on how to participate.

Medical Assistance Advisory Committee – Consumer Subcommittee – October 27

The Medical Assistance Advisory Committee’s Consumer Subcommittee will meet virtually on Wednesday, October 27 at 1:00 p.m.  Go here to register to participate.

Medical Assistance Advisory Committee – October 28

The Medical Assistance Advisory Committee will meet on Thursday, October 28 at 10:00 a.m.  Go here to register to participate virtually.

Special Pharmaceutical Benefits Program Advisory Council – October 28

The next meeting of the Special Pharmaceutical Benefits Program Advisory Council will be held virtually on Thursday, October 28, 2021 at 10:00 a.m.  To participate:

Pharmaceutical Assistance Advisory Board – November 15

The Department of Aging’s Pharmaceutical Assistance Advisory Board will hold a virtual meeting on Monday, November 15, 2021 at 8:30 a.m.  To participate virtually or by phone, go here for further information.