Governor’s Broadband Plan Would Improve Access to Health Care for Pennsylvania Residents

March 27, 2018

Governor Tom Wolf has announced the creation of the Pennsylvania Office of Broadband Initiatives, a new office aimed at expanding high-speed internet access to every Pennsylvanian by the end of 2022. 

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Increased Powers for FDA to Fight Opioid Crisis May Be Coming

March 27, 2018

A U.S. Senate Committee Chairman has introduced two draft bills designed to give the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) more authority to address the opioid crisis.

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How Different Generations Engage in Health Care: New Report Provides Insights

March 26, 2018

An online survey about consumer-driven health care reveals the differences in consumer engagement in health care by generational groups. These findings can help employers and providers improve their connections with these populations. 

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Study Finds Antibiotic-Resistant Infection Treatment Costs Have Doubled Since 2002

March 26, 2018

A study published in Heath Affairs found that between 2002–2014, an estimated 14 million infections occurred each year in U.S. civilian non-institutionalized adults, and 1.2 million of them were due to antibiotic-resistant bacteria.

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Wolf Administration Holds First Warm Hand-off Regional Summit

March 23, 2018

Yesterday, the Wolf Administration held the first of six Warm Hand-off Regional Summits in Harrisburg. With Pennsylvania facing the fourth-highest opioid death rate in the country, these summits are intended to promote collaboration among state government, county governments, county and regional services, private insurers, HAP, behavioral health facilities, and the hospital and provider communities.

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Congress Passes Government Funding Bill; Provides New Resources for Public Health

March 23, 2018

Both the U.S. House and U.S. Senate passed a $1.3 trillion omnibus appropriations bill that funds the government through fiscal year 2018 and makes investments in key public health initiatives, including efforts to fight the opioid epidemic, respond to behavioral health challenges, advance the discovery of new medical innovations, and promote public health preparedness.

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HAP Achievement Awards Winner Spotlight: Mercy Health System of Southeastern PA

March 22, 2018

Incredible work is being done across the state as Pennsylvania hospitals work to improve the quality and safety of patient care. This week we’re sharing the award-winning program developed by Mercy Health System of Southeastern PA to push back against negative social determinants of health and reduce health disparities.

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New Report Shows U.S. Health Care Infrastructure Underprepared for Emergencies and Disaster Events

March 21, 2018

A recent report by the Johns Hopkins Center for Health Security found that the United States’ current health care infrastructure is insufficient to handle a mass disaster. The report outlines four key types of disasters for which health care systems stand to become better prepared.

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Senate Banking and Insurance Committee Recommends Acting Insurance Commissioner, Full Senate Follows with Confirmation Vote; Also Confirms Miller, Levine, and Smith

March 20, 2018

Acting Pennsylvania Insurance Commissioner Jessica Altman received a favorable recommendation from the Senate Banking and Insurance Committee today, paving the way for her final confirmation vote late this afternoon.

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Senate Health and Human Services Committee Advances Four Bills Impacting Health

March 20, 2018

Earlier today, the Senate Health and Human Services Committee reported four bills intended to improve access to care, improve data collection on a key public health concern, and evaluate how the commonwealth protects the health and welfare of children.

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Pennsylvania’s Acting Health Care Secretaries Face Committee for Confirmation

March 19, 2018

Today, Pennsylvania’s Health and Human Services Committee held the next step in the confirmation process to formally place the acting secretaries for Pennsylvania’s three health agencies.

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HAP Achievement Awards Winner Spotlight: Thomas Jefferson University Hospital

March 16, 2018

Incredible work is being done across the state as Pennsylvania hospitals work to improve the quality and safety of patient care. This week we’re sharing the award-winning program developed by Thomas Jefferson University Hospital to improve the care for patients that receive enteral nutrition.

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HAPevolve Announces Exclusive Endorsement of Tunstall Americas

March 16, 2018

News Release:  The Hospital and Healthsystem Association of Pennsylvania (HAP), through its for-profit subsidiary HAPevolve, has selected Tunstall Americas as an endorsed partner to exclusively support Pennsylvania hospitals and health systems in the improvement of patient access solutions to engage patient populations. 

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U.S. Senate Committee Hears Perspectives on 340B Drug Pricing Program

March 15, 2018

A hearing focused on the 340B Drug Pricing Program reviewed the intent of the program and considered if changes are necessary to the law in order to fulfill the purpose of the program. The U.S. Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP) Committee’s hearing—Perspectives on the 340B Drug Pricing Program—featured testimony from advocates representing safety net hospitals, community health centers, health system pharmacists, and the pharmaceutical industry.

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Cybersecurity Continues as a Major Threat to Health Care Organizations; Preparation is Key

March 15, 2018

Two surveys released this week highlight the increasing importance of preventing, minimizing, and communicating—both internally and externally—about cybersecurity incidents, as the number of cyberattacks involving health care organizations continues to increase.

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