Governor Tom Wolf signed into law House Bill 1630, which makes permanent certain COVID-related regulatory suspensions under the Department of Human Services. While the bill primarily addresses pharmacy benefits, it contained language repealing several Department of Human Services (DHS) regulatory standards, making permanent several critical telehealth flexibilities listed below.
SR 352, a resolution introduced by Sen. Brooks that directs the Joint State Government Commission (JSGC) to study and issue a report on the specific data, calculations, and mechanisms that the Department of Human Services uses to determine the amount of Medical Assistance capitation funding ultimately paid to drug and alcohol addiction treatment providers within the Commonwealth, was adopted by the Senate on Tuesday, 49-0.
SR 352 directs JSGC to issue a report of its findings, along with any statutory or regulatory recommendations, within seven months of the adoption of the resolution.
JSGC serves as the bipartisan and bicameral research agency of the General Assembly. It provides the legislature with a readily available mechanism for conducting interdisciplinary studies.
The complete resolution, which includes a detailed listing of requirements of what JSGC must analyze and report, can be viewed here.
Expanding telehealth services during the COVID-19 pandemic was crucial to provide quality mental health and substance use treatment services to clients.
Did your organization provide telehealth services? What services will you continue post-pandemic?
We want to hear about your experiences! The survey will take less than 10 minutes to complete and will assist RCPA in our State and Federal Telehealth advocacy efforts.
Please complete the brief survey by 11:59 pm ET on Wednesday, Oct. 26.
The National Council will use these survey findings as part of a larger effort to collect and share data with policymakers, payers, and the field at large to improve access to mental health and substance use treatment services nationwide.
If you have any questions, please contact RCPA Policy Director Jim Sharp.
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