HAP Achievement Awards Spotlight: St. Luke’s Allentown Campus

November 02, 2018

The Allentown Campus of St. Luke's University Health Network received HAP’s 2018 “Optimal Operations” Achievement Award for improving the early identification of patients at risk for sepsis and establishing a multidisciplinary framework to standardize their care. As a result of this work, adherence to practice protocols and guidelines increased 26.3 percent, putting the Allentown Campus’s performance in the top decile nationwide.

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ACA Marketplace Open Enrollment Starts Today! Here’s What Pennsylvanians Need to Know

November 01, 2018

The six-week Open Enrollment period for the Affordable Care Act's (ACA) insurance marketplace, HealthCare.gov, runs today through December 15, 2018. Pennsylvanians who get their insurance through the marketplace, or who are uninsured, should take advantage of this opportunity to get covered and stay covered.

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Under CMS Proposal, Seniors Could Gain More Access to Telemedicine

October 31, 2018

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) released a proposed rule last week that would increase access to telemedicine services for older adults with Medicare Advantage health plans.

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HAP Achievement Awards Spotlight: Cancer Treatment Centers of America

October 30, 2018

Cancer Treatment Centers of America at Eastern Regional Medical Center received HAP’s 2018 “In Safe Hands” Achievement Award for its multi-year effort to reduce the incidence of Clostridium difficile infection (CDI). As a result of this initiative, the center eliminated CDI among its patients during 15 consecutive months and is working to continue this zero infection rate.

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HAP Statement on Tree of Life Synagogue Shooting

October 29, 2018

HAP Statement:  The Hospital and Healthsystem Association of Pennsylvania (HAP) is profoundly saddened by the tragic shootings at the Tree of Life Synagogue in Squirrel Hill. Our thoughts and prayers are with the survivors, families and friends of victims, and the greater Pittsburgh community.

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Responding to New Federal Guidance, Governor Vows to Safeguard ACA Consumer Protections

October 29, 2018

Last week, Governor Wolf announced that Pennsylvania will work to maintain consumer protections required by the Affordable Care Act (ACA) in the face of the Trump Administration’s new guidance for state innovation waivers.

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Hospitals Seek Policy Changes to Remove Barriers to Quality Improvement Efforts

October 26, 2018

Hospitals and health systems have made great strides to improve quality of care, such as reductions in hospital-acquired infections and early elective deliveries.  

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PALS Database Unavailable for Licensure Renewals on October 30; Renew in Advance to Avoid Expirations

October 25, 2018

The Pennsylvania Department of State, Bureau of Professional and Occupational Affairs licensure renewal database will not be operational on October 30 between 5 p.m. and 11 p.m. Individuals will not be able to renew their licenses during this time.

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National Prescription Drug Take Back Day Promotes Safe Disposal of Dangerous Medications

October 24, 2018

The Hospital and Healthsystem Association of Pennsylvania urges residents of the commonwealth to take advantage of National Prescription Drug Take Back Day, Saturday, October 27.

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HAP Will Monitor Trump Administration Health Insurance Changes; Consumer Education Will be Critical

October 23, 2018

The Trump Administration made back-to-back announcements this week about changes to insurance market policies stemming from the Affordable Care Act. Consumer education will be important.

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New Provider Incentive Payment for Preventive Screening Rates for Children Does Not Violate Anti-Kickback Law

October 22, 2018

A federal agency has cleared the way for a new provider incentive payment focused on keeping children healthier and reducing the impact of chronic disease. 

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Open Enrollment Starts in Two Weeks; HAP, PA Hospitals Encourage Pennsylvanians to Get Covered, Stay Covered

October 19, 2018

With the six-week open enrollment period for the Affordable Care Act (ACA) insurance marketplace two weeks away (November 1, 2018, through December 15, 2018), HAP and Pennsylvania hospitals have joined with state government, the insurance community, navigators and assisters, and health care organizations across the state to help Pennsylvanians continue to access affordable, reliable health care coverage.

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HAP Statement on Telemedicine Legislation

October 18, 2018

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Uninsured Rates for Lowest Income Pennsylvanians Have Decreased More than 50 Percent Since Medicaid Expansion

October 18, 2018

While disparities in insurance rates by income levels remain, they have diminished significantly, in Pennsylvania largely due to Medicaid expansion efforts. This information was recently shared in a research brief, Healthcare Insurance Coverage in Pennsylvania 2010 to 2016, prepared by The Pennsylvania State Data Center at Penn State Harrisburg.

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PA Telemedicine Law Fails to Advance During Last Session Day

October 18, 2018

Despite earning unanimous approval from the full state Senate and the state House Professional Licensure Committee—as well as support from health care advocates across the commonwealth—Senate Bill 780, sponsored by Senator Elder Vogel (R-Beaver), was not able to clear its final legislative hurdle today, the end of the 2017–2018 legislative session.

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