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PA Health Policy Update for the Week of November 8-12

The following is an update of selected state health policy developments in Pennsylvania for the week of November 8-12, 2021.  (Some of the language used below is taken directly from state documents.)

Governor Wolf

Governor Wolf announced his intention to return the decision on mask requirements in K-12 schools to local leaders on January 17, 2022.  It may not take that long, though:  as the Philadelphia Inquirer reports, Pennsylvania’s Commonwealth Court “…has struck down the state’s school mask mandate, ruling that acting Health Secretary Alison Beam didn’t have the authority to issue the requirement under the state’s Disease Control and Prevention Law.”  The Department of Health is appealing the court’s decision.

House Chamber of the State HouseGeneral Assembly

  • The House of Representatives passed House Bill 1561 and House Bill 1563 on third and final consideration this week.  These bills amend the Mental Health Procedures Act and the Drug and Alcohol Abuse Control Act, respectively, to align them with HIPAA and give providers, facilities, and insurers the ability to more easily share patient mental health and substance use disorder treatment information.  Both bills were sent to the Senate and referred to its Health & Human Services Committee.
  • The Senate Majority Policy Committee held an informational meeting this week to examine COVID-19 vaccine mandates and their impact on the workforce.  Testimony offered at the hearing and a video recording may be viewed here.
  • The Senate Health & Human Services Committee met twice this week and favorably reported the following bills:
    • Senate Bill 471, which prohibits the implementation of COVID-19 vaccine mandates;
    • House Bill 220, which specifies that a person does not need to test positive for drugs to begin addiction treatment; and
    • Senate Bill 938, which clarifies the Department of Drug and Alcohol Programs’ ability to promulgate rules and regulations and makes them subject to the regulatory review process, including publication, notice, and comment.

Recordings of both committee meetings may be viewed here.

  • The Senate Aging & Youth Committee favorably reported House Bill 1260, which increases the maximum income eligibility limits for PACENET from $27,500 to $33,500 for individuals and from $35,500 to $41,500 for married couples.

Department of Human Services

The Department of Human Services has issued updated requirements on the information needed to evaluate prior authorization requests for certain medications, based on actions taken by its Pharmacy and Therapeutics Committee during its September 14 meeting:

Department of Health

The Department of Health (DOH) has issued a health advisory echoing the federal decision that a pediatric formulation of the Pfizer vaccine has been approved for children from the ages of five to 11.

DOH has announced that information on schools participating in a free and voluntary COVID-19 screening testing program, which is available through a partnership with the company Gingko Bioworks, is now available on its web site.  Go here for the DOH announcement and here for information about the program.

COVID-19:  By the Numbers

  • The general downward trend in new daily COVID-19 cases in Pennsylvania halted over the past week with several days of more than 5000 new cases.  The state’s total number of COVID-19 cases since the start of the pandemic surpassed 1.6 million this week – a figure that represents approximately 12 percent of the state’s population.
  • The number of new COVID-19-related deaths remains high.  196 new deaths were reported on Wednesday – the highest single-day figure since late January.  This week Pennsylvania surpassed 32,000 COVID-19-related deaths.
  • The number of Pennsylvanians hospitalized because of COVID-19 has fallen five percent since the beginning of November; the number in hospital ICUs has fallen nine percent; and the number on ventilators because of the virus has fallen 11 percent.
  • 72.8 percent of Pennsylvanians 18 years of age and older are now fully vaccinated – more than 6.5 million people.  70,000 Pennsylvanians were recorded as completing a vaccine regimen in the past week.

Stakeholder Events

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.

Health Research Advisory Committee – November 15

The Department of Health’s Health Research Advisory Committee will hold a virtual public meeting on Monday, November 15 at 1:00 p.m.  For information on how to attend virtually, see this Pennsylvania Bulletin notice.

Pennsylvania Rural Health Redesign Center Authority Board – November 16

The Department of Health’s Pennsylvania Rural Health Redesign Center Authority Board, which is charged with administering the Pennsylvania Rural Health Model, will hold a virtual public meeting on Tuesday, November 16 at 10:00 a.m.  For information on how to attend virtually, see this Pennsylvania Bulletin notice.

Newborn Screening and Follow-Up Technical Advisory Board – November 18

The Department of Health’s Newborn Screening and Follow-Up Technical Advisory Board will hold a virtual public meeting on Thursday, November 18 at 10:00 a.m.  For information on how to attend virtually, see this Pennsylvania Bulletin notice.

Medical Assistance Advisory Committee’s Managed Long-Term Services and Supports Subcommittee Meeting – December 2

The Medical Assistance Advisory Committee’s managed long-term services and supports subcommittee will hold a virtual public meeting on Thursday, December 2 at 10:00 a.m.  To register to participate, go here.

2021-11-12T22:01:57+00:00November 12th, 2021|Coronavirus, COVID-19, Meetings and notices, Pennsylvania Bulletin, Pennsylvania Department of Health and COVID-19, Pennsylvania Department of Health coronavirus, Pennsylvania Medicaid|Comments Off on PA Health Policy Update for the Week of November 8-12
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PA Health Policy Update for the Week of September 13

The following is an update of selected state health policy developments in Pennsylvania for the week of September 13-17, 2021.  (Some of the language used below is taken directly from state documents.)

House Chamber of the State HouseGeneral Assembly

  • The House Aging & Older Adult Services Committee held a hearing on Monday, September 13 to review the waivers and regulatory flexibilities related to the treatment and care of older adults in Pennsylvania.  The departments of Aging, Health, and Human Services appeared before the committee.  Find the Department of Human Services testimony here, the Department of Aging’s testimony here, and a video of the hearing here.
  • On Tuesday the House Health Committee voted to send a letter to the Commonwealth Joint Committee on Documents requesting a determination of whether the Acting Secretary of Health’s order mandating masks in K-12 schools and child care centers is subject to the regulatory process and the Regulatory Review Act.
  • The Senate Health & Human Services and Aging & Youth committees held a joint hearing on Wednesday, September 15 to examine Part 1 of the Department of Health’s proposed long-term-care nursing facility regulations.  Find testimony submitted to the committees and a video of the hearing here.
  • The House and Senate will return to voting session next week.  The House will convene on September 20, 21, and 22 and the Senate will be in session on September 21 and 22.  The General Assembly will focus on the Wolf administration’s mask mandate for K-12 schools and COVID-19 regulatory waivers and flexibilities.  A number of committee meetings are scheduled as well.  The following is a list of selected health-related committee meetings and legislation that will be considered.
    • The House Professional Licensure Committee will meet on Monday, September 20 to consider Senate Bills 397 and 398, which amend the Medical Practice Act and the Osteopathic Medical Practice Act, respectively, to update the requirements for physician assistants.  Following its voting meeting the committee will hold an informational hearing on the pharmacy-related regulatory waivers and suspensions issued by the Department of State during the COVID-19 pandemic.
    • The House State Government Committee will meet on Monday, September 20 to consider House Bill 1861, which amends the Administrative Code to provide for certain definitions and temporary regulatory flexibility.
    • The House Health Committee will meet on Monday, September 20 to consider House Bill 1774, which extends the sunset date for the Achieving Better Care by Monitoring All Prescriptions Program.
    • The Senate Health & Human Services Committee will meet on Tuesday, September 21 to consider, among other bills, Senate Bill 815, which prohibits pelvic, rectal, and prostate exams without explicit consent of the patient, and Senate Bill 818, which aligns Pennsylvania’s ambulatory surgical center-approved procedures with those of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS).
    • The House Human Services Committee will hold an information hearing on Wednesday, September 22 to review the opioid litigation settlements.

Department of Health

  • The Department of Health has published data on “breakthrough” COVID-19 cases, including how many people who have been vaccinated have contracted COVID-19, how many vaccinated people have been hospitalized because of the virus, and how many have died because of the virus.  The department’s announcement also explains its methodology for arriving at these figures.  Find the information here.  The results also are summarized in this Wolf administration news release.
  • The Department of Health has updated its guidance for return to work criteria for health care workers with confirmed or suspected COVID-19 infection and work restrictions for health care personnel exposed to COVID-19.
  • The Department of Health has circulated updated guidance it received from CMS regarding long-term-care facility testing requirements for staff and residents.  The revised requirements call for staff testing based on the facility’s county level of community transmission rather than county test positivity rate and the frequency of testing has also been updated.  Go here to see the full guidance; changes are noted in red.
  • Acting Physician General Dr. Denise Johnson and Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia director of the Vaccine Education Center and professor of pediatrics Dr. Paul Offit have developed a video for Pennsylvanians answering questions about vaccine safety.  Find the video here.

Department of Human Services

  • The Department of Human Services announced that effective June 1, 2021, it has reinstated the provider revalidation requirements that were applicable prior to the public health emergency.  See its notice here.
  • In response to the COVID-19 emergency, the Department of Human Services suspended many state regulatory requirements for health and human services providers.  Now, it has published an updated list of regulatory suspensions that will expire on September 30.  The department’s notice explains that “…the September 30, 2021 expiration date only affects state regulations that were suspended under the state disaster emergency declaration.  Federal flexibilities provided through the federal public health emergency will remain in place as long as the federal public health emergency remains in effect.”  Find the announcement here.
  • DHS has updated its order directing licensed child care providers to wear face masks.
  • DHS has announced that it will distribute $278 million in American Rescue Plan funds appropriated by the General Assembly to nursing facilities, personal care homes, and assisted living residences in DHS’s Office of Long-Term Living system.  An additional $5 million will be spent to provide grants of $15,000 per grantee for long-term-care facilities to improve indoor air quality.  See the DHS announcement here.

COVID-19:  By the Numbers

  • The daily number of new COVID-19 cases remained high this week, including the highest single-day count of new cases since April 13.
  • The number of new COVID-19-related deaths increased over the past week.
  • For the second consecutive week, every county in Pennsylvania is experiencing a high level of COVID-19 transmission.
  • The number of Pennsylvanians hospitalized because of COVID-19, on ventilators, and in hospital intensive care units because of the virus continued to rise over the past week but more slowly than in recent weeks.
  • According to the state’s revised figures, 67.5 percent of Pennsylvanians 18 years of age and older are now fully vaccinated – 6.1 million people – up from 66.8 percent last week.  Only 13,000 Philadelphians and 54,000 other Pennsylvanians (fewer than last week) completed a vaccine regimen in the past week.

Around the State

  • “Regulatory waivers established last year to help hospitals and health-care workers fight COVID-19 will expire this month, and those in the field are warning the lapse could exacerbate an ongoing staffing crisis as coronavirus cases rise again,” according to Spotlight PA.  Learn more from its report.
  • Driven by rising numbers of COVID-19 cases, waiting times in western Pennsylvania emergency departments are “…the worst I’ve seen them for very long periods of time, and I’ve been around for over 30 years in emergency medicine,” a doctor told the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review.
  • Some doctors in Pennsylvania may be offering notes to people seeking COVID-19 mask mandate exemptions for their school-aged children without a legitimate basis for those exemptions.  The Department of Health is looking into this, according to the Associated Press.
  • Federal law enforcement officials seized two shipments of fake COVID-19 vaccination cards, the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review informed its readers.
  • Pennsylvania’s Office of Open Records has ordered the Department of Health to disclose how many people have been certified to use medical marijuana to treat their opioid use problem.  Spotlight PA tells the story.
  • “Blair County will be adding five staffers to address mental health issues after the state approved two grants for the mobile crisis and student assistance programs,” the Altoona Mirror reports.
  • Citing reduced patient demand and staffing shortages, the Sharon Regional Medical Center will close its maternity unit around the end of the year, according to the Sharon Herald.
  • Spotlight PA has been reporting on what it calls “Pa.’s looming dementia care crisis.”  Now, the organization has published numbers to illustrate the extent of the problem.

Pennsylvania Health Care Cost Containment Council (PHC4)

PHC4 has issued its latest legislatively mandated report summarizing the additional expenses the state’s hospitals have incurred and the revenue losses they have experienced as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.  The report covers the period from January of 2020 through June of 2021 but does not reflect federal emergency funding provided to help offset both the additional expenses and the lost revenue.  Find the report here.

Stakeholder Events

  • The consumer subcommittee of the Medical Assistance Advisory Committee will meet on September 22 at 1:00 pm.  Go here to register to participate remotely.
  • The Medical Assistance Advisory Committee will meet on September 23, 2021 at 10:00 am.  Go here to register to participate remotely.
  • The Patient Safety Authority will hold a virtual public meeting on Thursday, September 23 at 1:00 p.m. and it is open to the general public.  For information about how to join the meeting, see this Pennsylvania Bulletin notice.
2021-09-17T21:05:29+00:00September 17th, 2021|Coronavirus, COVID-19, Pennsylvania Medicaid|Comments Off on PA Health Policy Update for the Week of September 13
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PA Health Policy Update for the Week of August 30-September 2

The following is an update of selected state health policy developments in Pennsylvania for the week of August 30-September 2, 2021.  (Some of the language used below is taken directly from state documents.)

The Wolf Administration

The Wolf administration has ordered that masks be worn by all students and staff in school buildings.  Learn more from this administration news release, the order from the Department of Health, and this FAQ about the new requirement.  The order also applies to licensed child care facilities.

General Assembly

House and Senate Republicans denounced the Wolf administration’s mask mandate for K-12 schools and child care centers this week and Senate Republicans circulated a co-sponsorship memo seeking support from fellow senators for a constitutional amendment that would restrict the Secretary of Health’s power to issue such orders in the absence of a formal public health disaster declaration.

The House Health Committee’s hearing to examine the end of Pennsylvania’s opioid disaster declaration scheduled for this week was postponed until Monday, September 27 at 8:00 a.m.

Department of Health

  • The Department of Health announced changes in the electronic reportable disease surveillance system (PA-NEDSS) to enhance data submitted by hospitals daily on COVID-19 admissions and patient vaccination status.  Go here to view the department’s announcement of these new requirements.
    • Additions and amendments to questions in the Corvena capacity reporting tool will be made on Friday, September 3 and these new data fields must be completed by 10:00 am on Tuesday, September 7 and daily thereafter.
    • Find details on the Corvena changes with a screenshot of edits here and a dictionary of terms here.
    • Hospitals are directed to fill out a one-time form with historical admissions by vaccination status for the period from January 1, 2021 through September 6, 2021; this must be completed by 5:00 p.m. on Wednesday, September 8.
    • The Department of Health will host a webinar explaining these changes on Friday, September 3 at 1:00 p.m. at the Zoom link here.
  • The Department of Health has created an attestation form for hospitals to use when bringing online multiple pieces of new equipment or services during the same time period.  The Multiple Equipment Attestation form enables hospitals to attest to up to 100 pieces of unique equipment.  If a hospital has more than 100 pieces of new, unique equipment it must submit an additional form.  The original Equipment Attestation form can be used only when submitting for one piece of equipment.  To learn more see this announcement from the department’s Division of Acute and Ambulatory Care, the attestation form for new equipment, and the attestation form for new services.

COVID-19:  By the Numbers

  • The daily number of new COVID-19 cases continued to rise during the past week. Today’s new case total was the highest single-day figure since April 17.  To date, more than 1.3 million Pennsylvanians have contracted reported cases of COVID-19.
  • Similarly, the number of deaths, while slightly higher during the past week, remains far lower than when comparable numbers of new cases were being reported in the spring.  Still, today’s total was the highest single-day figure since March 5.  To date, more than 28,000 Pennsylvanians have died from COVID-19.
  • For the week of August 20-26 the state’s overall COVID-19 test positivity rate was 7.8 percent, up from 6.9 percent last week and the seventh consecutive week with an increase.
  • For the week ending September 1 in Pennsylvania, according to the CDC’s COVID Data Tracker, 66 of the state’s 67 counties were experiencing a high level of COVID-19 transmission, with Bradford County “only” in a substantial level of community transmission.
  • The number of Pennsylvanians hospitalized because of COVID-19, on ventilators because of the virus, and in hospital intensive care units because of the disease continued to rise during the past week.
  • According to the state’s revised figures, 66 percent of Pennsylvanians 18 years of age and older are now fully vaccinated – 5.93 million people – up from 65.3 percent last week.  Only 15,000 Philadelphians and 70,000 other Pennsylvanians completed a vaccine regimen in the past week.

Pennsylvania Health Care Cost Containment Council (PHC4)

PHC4 has hired a new executive director.  Learn more in this agency news release.

Around the State

2021-09-02T22:00:43+00:00September 2nd, 2021|Coronavirus, COVID-19|Comments Off on PA Health Policy Update for the Week of August 30-September 2
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PA Health Policy Update for the Week of June 21-25

The following is an update of selected state health policy developments in Pennsylvania for the week of June 21-25, 2021.  (Some of the language used below is taken directly from state documents.)

State-Wide Mask Mandate

The Department of Health announced that it is lifting its order requiring universal face coverings at 12:01 a.m. on Monday, June 28.   See the announcement here.  The department continues to urge Pennsylvanians to follow CDC guidance for wearing a mask where required by law, rule, and regulations, including health care, local business, and workplace guidance.  For the protection of themselves and others, individuals who have not yet been vaccinated or are partially vaccinated are still encouraged to wear a mask when in public.

Legislative Update

The following are health care bills that have received third and final consideration in the state House and/or Senate as of Thursday, June 24. Both chambers will hold voting session on Friday and Saturday and we anticipate there will be additional health care-related measures passed. We will provide an update following the end of session on any pertinent bills.

  • Senate Bill 115 – establishes the Nurse Licensure Compact Act, which upon enactment makes the Commonwealth a party to the Nurse Licensure Compact with all other states that have joined the compact. The bill was passed by the House 146-55 and sent to the Governor’s desk.
  • Senate Bill 425 – amends the Medical Care Availability and Reduction of Error (MCARE) Act to permit a physician to fulfill their duty to obtain a patient’s or the patient’s authorized representative’s consent by a qualified practitioner prior to conducting surgery or administering radiation or chemotherapy blood transfusions, or medications and devices. The bill was unanimously passed by the House on June 24th and sent to the Governor’s desk.
  • Senate Bill 484 – adds the chair of the State Veterans’ Commission or a designee to the Pennsylvania Long-term Care Council. The bill was unanimously passed by the House on June 24th and sent to the Governor’s desk.
  • Senate Bill 618 – prohibits the use of vaccine passports by government entities. It also prohibits institutions of higher education from requiring proof of vaccination against COVID-19 to use a service, enter a building, or undertake an activity, including attending class in person. In addition, the bill further restricts the Secretary of Health’s ability to implement certain disease control measures for individuals who have not been exposed, potentially or otherwise, to a contagious disease. The bill was signed in the state House and Senate on June 24th and sent to the governor. The governor has indicated he will veto

Department of Human Services

Department of Health

Effective at midnight on June 23, 2021, the Department of Health terminated its order requiring skilled nursing facilities to complete a vaccine needs assessment survey since those facilities are now reporting to the federal government.

COVID-19:  By the Numbers

  • The daily number of new COVID-19 cases continues to decline significantly.  The 174 new COVID-19 cases reported on Wednesday marked the lowest new daily case count since March 25, 2020, when 276 new cases were announced.
  • The number of COVID-19 deaths continues to decline significantly as well.
  • For the week from June 11 through June 17 the state’s overall COVID-19 test positivity rate was 1.4 percent, down from 1.9 percent last week and 2.9 percent the week before.
  • Sixty-four counties had a positivity rate lower than five percent, up from 62 last week, and no counties had a positivity rate greater than 20 percent for the eighth consecutive week.
  • Thirty-seven counties are currently experiencing low levels of community transmission of COVID-19, up from 22 last week; the remaining 30 Pennsylvania counties are experiencing moderate levels of community transmission and no counties are experiencing a high level of community transmission.
  • Since June 1 the number of Pennsylvanians hospitalized with COVID-19 has fallen 62 percent; the number on a ventilator has fallen 54 percent; and the number in hospital intensive care units has fallen 70 percent.
  • 5.3 million Pennsylvanians have been fully vaccinated against COVID-19, according to the state’s COVID-19 dashboard.  Growth in this number has slowed significantly over the past month and only about 150,000 new vaccinations were reported in the past week. Another 760,000 people have been vaccinated in Philadelphia.  According to the state, 59.4 percent of Pennsylvanians 18 years of age and older are now fully vaccinated and 62.2 percent of the entire population has now received at least the first dose of a vaccine.

Around the State

Two Pennsylvania children’s hospitals ranked among the best ten such hospitals in the U.S. in the latest rankings published by U.S. News & World Report:  Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia ranked second and UPMC Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh ranked ninth.

Two Pennsylvania-based health insurers, Highmark and Independence Blue Cross, are among five Blues plans joining forces in a new venture called Evio, a for-profit venture that will seek to make prescription drugs more affordable and improve health care outcomes.  Learn more here.

Stakeholder Events

  • Maternal Mortality Review Committee

June 28 at 8:00

This meeting will be held via conference call.  The purpose of the meeting is to discuss new and ongoing procedural issues relating to the review process for the committee.  To join the call, dial +1 (267) 332-8737 and when prompted, enter the following conference code: 522 321 931#.

  • DHS Office of Long-Term Living – Financial Management Services Meeting

June 28 at 11:00 a.m.

The purpose of this meeting is to discuss upcoming changes in the administration of financial management services under the Community HealthChoices, OBRA Waiver, and Act 150 programs.  Representatives from the Office of Long-Term Living and Community HealthChoices managed care organizations will discuss the upcoming changes.  Interested parties can join the meeting in the following ways:

From the meeting link:

https://pa-hhs.webex.com/pa-hhs/j.php?MTID=m15e2e495a802f00df6fa38c9e645237d

By meeting number:

Meeting number (access code): 132 280 2499

From a mobile device (attendees only):

1-408-418-9388,,1322802499## United States Toll

1-202-860-2110,,1322802499## United States Toll (Washington D.C.)

By phone:

+1-408-418-9388 United States Toll

+1-202-860-2110 United States Toll (Washington D.C.)

Meeting password: Stakeholder

From a video system or application

Dial 1322802499@pa-hhs.webex.com

You can also dial 173.243.2.68 and enter your meeting number

  • Managed Long-Term Services and Supports Subcommittee Meeting

July 7 at 10:00 a.m.

This meeting will be held via webinar.  Public comments will be taken after each presentation and questions can be entered in the chat box.  Interested parties can participate in the following ways:

Webinar registration – go here

Dial in:  1-914-614-3221, access code 716-025-613

Remote captioning and streaming link – go here

  • 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#

Stakeholder Event Report

Medical Assistance Advisory Committee Meeting – June 24

Deputy DHS Secretary Sally Kozak announced that DHS will perform readiness reviews of the managed care organizations selected to participate in the latest HealthChoices program procurement.  The procurement remains the subject of litigation so DHS will stop short of negotiating with the managed care organizations until there is a final decision in that case.

Stakeholder Events Materials

DHS has posted four presentations offered at the June 24 meeting of the Medical Assistance Advisory Committee.  Those presentations were delivered by its:

 

2021-06-26T13:46:01+00:00June 26th, 2021|Coronavirus, COVID-19, HealthChoices, Medical Assistance Bulletin, Meetings and notices, Pennsylvania Bulletin, Pennsylvania Medicaid policy, Pennsylvania Medical Assistance, Pennsylvania proposed FY 2022 budget, Pennsylvania state budget issues|Comments Off on PA Health Policy Update for the Week of June 21-25
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  • 2020 Safety-Net Association of Pennsylvania

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