Category: Government Actions

PDH Encourages Newly Eligible 16 and 17 Year-olds to Receive Booster Dose Following Federal Approval (December 10, 2021)

On December 10, 2021, following the approval process by the federal government, the PA Department of Health (PDH) confirmed that Pennsylvanians 16 and 17 years old are now eligible for a Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine booster dose after six months of completing the primary series.

“The Department of Health urges all eligible Pennsylvanians who have yet to get vaccinated to do so immediately and for those people who are eligible to receive a booster shot to get that added level of protection as soon as possible,” Physician General Dr. Denise Johnson said while visiting the community COVID-19 vaccine clinic at Gettysburg College yesterday.

While anyone 18 years and older may receive any vaccine regardless of which brand of vaccine was received for primary vaccination, those who are 16 and 17 years old are only eligible to receive the Pfizer vaccine.

Pennsylvania vaccine providers, including pediatricians, primary care physicians, pharmacies, and federally qualified health centers, are able to schedule booster doses and are ready to administer booster appointments now.

Dr. Johnson echoed the importance of vaccines for those eligible, including those 5 to 11 years old. “The COVID-19 vaccines are our best protection against the virus,” Dr. Johnson said. “The pediatric vaccine is safe, and it is highly effective at protecting children against COVID-19-related illness, hospitalization, and death. I am impressed by the tens of thousands of Pennsylvanians who are stepping up every day to get their first, second or third dose of vaccine to protect themselves, their loved ones and their neighbors against COVID-19.”

To find a COVID-19 vaccine provider near you, please visit www.vaccines.gov.

Gov. Wolf, Legislative Leaders Encourage Pennsylvanians to Enroll in Affordable, Comprehensive Health Insurance (December 9, 2021)

Governor Tom Wolf was joined by legislative leaders at Family Practice and Counseling Network in Philadelphia to highlight the Wolf Administration’s efforts to ensure health care is affordable and accessible for all Pennsylvanians. Participants encouraged Pennsylvanians to utilize the commonwealth’s state-based health insurance marketplace, Pennie, when needing health insurance during the open enrollment period through January 15, 2022. 

In July 2019, Gov. Wolf signed legislation establishing the state-based marketplace. Pennie replaces healthcare.gov as Pennsylvania’s official destination for shopping for quality health insurance plans and the only source for financial assistance to help with the cost of coverage and care. Currently there are nearly 344,000 Pennie customers throughout the commonwealth. 

Gov. Wolf was joined by House Democratic Leader Joanna McClinton, Pennsylvania Insurance Commissioner Jessica Altman, Pennie Executive Director Zachary W. Sherman, Senate â€‹Health and Human Services Chair Senator Art Haywood and Executive Director of Family Practice and Counseling Network Erica Nichols. 

 â€œPennie.com is the place where Pennsylvanians can shop for coverage, access financial assistance, and know that every plan is comprehensive,” said Commissioner Altman. “We have heard from consumers who were looking for comprehensive health insurance who were misdirected to other types of insurance. Pennsylvanians can rest assured that you can trust Pennie, and that the Insurance Department is here to assist any individual who was misled about their insurance.”

“If cost or confusion is preventing you from enrolling through pennie.com, know that the American Rescue Plan is providing never-before-seen savings to help fit a high-quality health insurance plan into your monthly budget,” said Executive Director Sherman. “Pennie also has online tools and an entire team of certified professionals to get you from confused to covered.Enroll before December 15 for coverage that starts on New Year’s Day. Go to pennie.com or call 1-844-844-8040 to start the process today.”

In addition to Pennie, Gov. Wolf expanded Medicaid in 2015, ensuring more Pennsylvanians have access to Medical Assistance in Pennsylvania. Today, more than 3.3 million Pennsylvanians are covered by Medical Assistance including almost 1 million people through the expansion. By expanding access to health care, the commonwealth realized the lowest uninsured rate in Pennsylvania history during the Wolf Administration and insurance rates are now the most stable year over year that they’ve ever been. 

All Pennsylvanians who need health insurance coverage are encouraged to go to www.pennie.com to explore your options. Open Enrollment runs from December 9, 2021 through January 15, 2022. Individuals should visit www.pennie.com to learn more about Pennie or call Pennie customer care at 1-844-844-8040. 

Wolf Administration Celebrates the Newly Renovated Library of Accessible Media for Pennsylvanians (December 8, 2021)

On December 7, 2021, with more than $760,000 in support from the Wolf Administration, the Pennsylvania Office of Commonwealth Libraries (OCL) celebrated the reopening of the newly renovated Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh (CLP) Library of Accessible Media for Pennsylvanians (LAMP). The Wolf Administration awarded a $750,000 Keystone Recreation, Park & Conservation Fund grant and a $13,750 Neighborhood Assistance Program (NAP) grant to help fund the project.

The library will make services for Pennsylvania’s print-disabled population more discoverable, accessible, and inclusive. CLP-LAMP provides resources statewide to the print disabled, and along with the Free Library of Philadelphia is one of two libraries in the commonwealth serving print-disabled residents. In addition to supplying readers with accessible materials, CLP-LAMP houses two state-of-the-art recording studios for staff and volunteers to record books and provide accessibility locally, nationally, and internationally through the National Library Service Braille and Audio Reading Download (BARD). CLP-LAMP is also responsible for mailing reading materials to visually impaired patrons across the state through the U.S. Postal Services Free Matter for the Blind.

This summer, LAMP changed its name from the Library for the Blind and Physically Handicapped and launched a centralized new website for Pennsylvanians: MyLAMP.org. The library will continue to implement the Library of Congress’ National Library Service program throughout Pennsylvania to patrons with disabilities, including those who cannot access standard print due to blindness, visual, physical, cognitive, or reading disabilities and to those who are unable to hold a book or turn its pages. Additionally, CLP-LAMP will explore ways to provide resources beyond the traditional – such as assistive technologies and accessible programs for all underserved populations.

The Pennsylvania Department of Education’s Office of Commonwealth Libraries supports, develops, and provides library services for learning and advancement.

For more information, click here.

U.S. Surgeon General Issues Public Health Advisory on Emerging Youth Mental Health Crisis (December 8, 2021)

On Tuesday, December 7, 2021,  in a rare warning and call to action to address an emerging crisis exacerbated by pandemic hardships, U.S. Surgeon General Vivek H. Murthy issued a public health advisory on the mental health challenges confronting the nation’s youth. He reported that symptoms of depression and anxiety have doubled during the pandemic, with 25% of youth experiencing depressive symptoms and 20% experiencing anxiety symptoms. There also appear to be increases in negative emotions or behaviors such as impulsivity and irritability, which are symptoms of ADHD and other similar conditions.

The 53-page advisory also shows early 2021 emergency department visits across the country for suspected suicide attempts were 51% higher for adolescent girls and 4% higher for adolescent boys as compared to the same time period in early 2019.

According to Murthy, “It would be a tragedy if we beat back one public health crisis only to allow another to grow in its place.”

SOURCE: Los Angeles Times.

Please click here to read the article.

Black History Month Writing Contest Focuses on “Black Health and Wellness” (December 7, 2021)

The theme national for Black History Month 2022 is “Black Health and Wellness.” The theme encourages emphasizing and exploring the importance of access to quality and affordable healthcare. This year’s Writing Contest is meant to spread a message of education and encouragement, designed to stimulate discussion and bridge cultures in furtherance of the national theme.

Forms of submission:

¡         Essay

¡         Poem

 Disclaimer:

All submissions will become property of the Black History Month committee and will not be returned. All submissions will be held in accordance with the record retention schedule for the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.

Eligibility:

The contest is open to current high school students in grades 9-12 who reside in and attend school in Pennsylvania.

Essay Rules:

The essay must have three parts: 1) Title page, 2) Essay pages, and 3) Bibliography/works cited. The essay must be listed on a separate page and not reference the applicant’s name or information.

1.) Title Page contents:

¡         Essay title

¡         Applicant’s name, grade, address, phone number & email

¡         Applicant’s high school’s name, address & phone number

2.) Essay contents:

¡         Minimum of 150 and a maximum of 300 words (excluding title page, footnotes, and bibliography)

3.) Bibliography contents:

¡         Maintain a consistent format

¡         Use references in the bibliography and citations in the essay

Poem Rules:

The poem must have two parts: 1) Title page, 2) Poem. The poem must be listed on a separate page and not reference the applicant’s name or information.

1.) Title Page contents:

¡         Poem title

¡         Applicant’s name, grade, address, phone number & email

¡         Applicant’s high school’s name, address & phone number

2.) Poem contents:

¡         Poem can be written in any poetic style.

Submission Deadline:

All submissions must be made by the high school principal. Submissions must be submitted by January 21, 2022 to [email protected].