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Medical Rehab

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physiotherapist helping patient to walk

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) recently released the fiscal year (FY) 2027 hospital inpatient prospective payment system (IPPS) proposed rule. Included in this rule is a proposal for the expansion of CMS’s Comprehensive Care for Joint Replacement (CCJR) model nationwide to improve care coordination and reduce costs for Medicare patients undergoing hip, knee, and ankle replacements. The model would hold hospitals accountable for the full episode of care, including surgery and 90 days of recovery, encouraging better outcomes and a more efficient use of resources.

For background purposes, from April 2016 through December 2024, the CMS Innovation Center tested the CJR Model to improve care for Medicare patients undergoing joint replacement procedures. During that time, the model generated significant Medicare savings while maintaining quality of care for beneficiaries. Under the CJR Model, hospitals were held responsible for Medicare spending for the joint replacement surgery, the hospital stay, and the first 90 days of recovery, including follow-up care such as physical therapy.

Based on the evaluation of the CJR Model, the CJR Expanded (CJR-X) Model would create strong incentives for hospitals to coordinate care more effectively, avoid unnecessary services like avoidable re-hospitalization and emergency care, and focus on delivering the best outcomes for patients. It would specifically encourage better communication with post-acute care providers to support recovery. Beginning October 1, 2027, CJR-X would be required for most hospitals, making it the first mandatory, nationwide test of an episode-based payment model.

Comments on the proposed rule are due by June 9, 2026.

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The Brain Injury Advisory Board (Board), established under section 1252 of the Federal Traumatic Brain Injury Act of 1996 (42 U.S.C. § 300d-52), will hold a public meeting on May 1, 2026, from 10:00 am – 3:00 pm. The meeting will be held in person at the Health and Human Services Building, 7th Floor, Conference Room A, 625 Forster Street, Harrisburg, PA 17120. A virtual meeting option is available via Microsoft Teams. To join the Microsoft Teams meeting, call (267) 332-8737. The phone conference ID is 428991948#.

Meeting materials will be sent out before the meeting and will also be available on the Department of Health’s (DOH) website. Questions should be sent to Nicole Johnson electronically.

DOH’s Head Injury Program (HIP) strives to ensure that eligible individuals who have a traumatic brain injury (TBI) receive high quality rehabilitative services aimed at reducing functional limitations and improving quality of life. The Board assists DOH in understanding and meeting the needs of persons living with acquired brain injuries, both traumatic and nontraumatic, and their families. This quarterly meeting will provide updates on a variety of topics, including the number of people served by HIP. In addition, meeting participants will discuss budgetary and programmatic issues, community programs relating to traumatic and nontraumatic brain injuries and available advocacy opportunities.

For additional information or for persons with a disability who wish to attend the meeting and require an auxiliary aid, service, or other accommodation to do so, contact Nicole Johnson, Division of Community Systems Development and Outreach, (717) 772-2763. For individuals who need assistance with speech or for deaf or hard of hearing persons, contact the Pennsylvania Hamilton Relay Service at (800) 654-5984 (TDD users) or (800) 654-5988 (voice users).

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Photo by Larry Crayton on Unsplash

Family-Centered Care: One Organization’s Revolutionary Approach to Include Families in All Aspects of Care

Monday, April 20, 2026
11:00 am – 12:00 pm EDT; 10:00 am – 11:00 am CDT;
9:00 am – 10:00 am MDT; 8:00 am – 9:00 am PDT 
Register Here

Donna Provenzano, Director of Family-Centered Care

Donna Provenzano is the Director of Family-Centered Care at Children’s Specialized Hospital. She has thirty-nine years of experience in working with children, adolescents, young adults, and their families at Children’s Specialized. Donna serves on several hospital leadership committees and councils and provides administrative and operational management of Family-Centered Care and Volunteers. She supervises and partners with Family Faculty staff and coordinates with the Family Advisory Council. Donna has presented both nationally and internationally on Patient- and Family-Centered Care. Under Donna’s leadership, her department received the IPFCC Family-Centered Care Partnership Award for Social Determinants of Health (SDOH) in 2022. Donna has received additional leadership certifications from the Harvard Business School. She received her Bachelor of Science degree in Therapeutic Recreation from Ithaca College.

Linda Waddell, Family Faculty Manager

Linda Waddell is the Family Faculty Manager at Children’s Specialized Hospital. She has been employed at the hospital as a Family Faculty since June of 2008 and a member of the Children’s Specialized Hospital’s Family Advisory Council since 2014. On behalf of the hospital, Linda has presented with her team on Patient- and Family-Centered Care at regional, national, and international conferences. Most recently, Linda was a member of a panel that presented at the 2024 RISE Summit “Addressing Social Determinants of Health (SDOH): A Look into Children’s Specialized Hospital’s Program in NJ and Beyond.” Linda participates in various hospital committees and is also a member of the IPRC Steering Committee, where she provides a family member’s perspective for discussions and decision-making.

Linda was the 2019 recipient of the Lester Z. Lieberman Humanism in Healthcare Award and received the IPFCC 30th Anniversary 2022 Partnership Award on Social Determinants of Health. Linda received her Bachelor of Science degree in Business Management from Kean University. Linda’s first experience with Children’s Specialized Hospital began in 1999, receiving multiple services for her newborn, medically fragile baby. She became an expert in the experience of pediatric rehabilitation through caring for her daughter with medical complications.

Family Faculty at Children’s Specialized Hospital are paid positions held by parents and family members whose children have received or are still receiving services at Children’s Specialized Hospital Inpatient, Outpatient, or Long-Term Care sites. Their own day-to-day experiences provide a unique perspective, understanding, and empathy for families going through similar situations. Family Faculty partner with staff and families to build a respectful and understanding relationship by listening, providing insights, and encouraging positive communication between staff and families.

Objectives: At the end of this session, the learner will identify strategies to:

  • Embed Patient- and Family-Centered Care into your organization;
  • Cultivate respectful partnerships and collaboration with leadership, staff, and families;
  • Include families in education and training of staff at all levels; and
  • Engage families and staff in creating valuable resources.

Audience: This webinar is intended for all interested members of the rehabilitation team.

Level: Beginner-Intermediate

Certificate of Attendance: Certificates of attendance are available for all attendees. No CEs are provided for this course.

Complimentary webinars are a benefit of membership in IPRC/RCPA. Registration fee for non-members is $179. Not a member yet? Consider joining today.

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On Monday, May 11, 2026, RCPA will be hosting a virtual H.R. 1 Medicaid Summit for all members, non-members, and stakeholders from 9:00 am – 10:00 am. This summit will feature guest panelists who will provide Federal and State updates on the implementation and impacts of the pending Medicaid changes. We will also explore the role of providers, advocates, and stakeholders in the process to ensure access and care for vulnerable Pennsylvanians. Register for the summit here.

As part of the event, we will have a Q&A segment. If you have any questions you would like to ask during the Q&A segment, or if you have any general questions regarding the virtual summit, please forward them to RCPA Behavioral Health Policy Associate Emma Sharp.

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Photo by Markus Winkler on Unsplash

Friday, April 10 at 5:00 pm is the deadline to complete and submit nominations for the Rural Health Transformation Plan (RHTP) Advisory Council and RHTP Rural Care Collaboratives (RCC).

Advisory Council (Statewide): This is a not a decision-making body.
The Advisory Council will provide subject matter expertise (SME) to the RCCs. The Council’s feedback is intended to inform and enhance RCC regional plans to ensure planned projects have the best chance of succeeding and will be sustainable after the 5-year RHTP funding is no longer available.

  • Meeting Cadence: The Advisory Council will meet once a month during the RCC plan development period. Once plans are solidified, the Advisory Council will meet quarterly to help address implementation concerns.
  • Council Member Expectations: Provide technical assistance (TA) to the RCCs in the member’s identified area of expertise. TA can be provided in multiple formats. This could be open discussion during RHTP meetings, written questions and answers, or a more hands-on knowledge transfer.
  • Conflict of Interest: If chosen for the Advisory Council, members must provide their formal CV for documentation, a brief bio, and disclosure of any conflicts of interest. All conflicts of interest also must be communicated verbally during meetings and TA communication with RCCs.

The Advisory Council needs SME representation in:

  • Aging and Access
  • Behavioral Health
  • EMS and Transportation
  • Technology and Infrastructure
  • Maternal Health
  • Workforce

Rural Care Collaboratives (Regional): This is a planning body.
There will be 8 RCCs established with the purpose of:

  • Identifying regional priorities based on healthcare gaps;
  • Developing a regional plan to address prioritized needs; and
  • Recommending/identifying projects to the RHTP interagency project team to operationalize the regional plan that works towards Pennsylvania’s identified outcomes.

Complete the RHTP Advisory Council and RCC Nomination form here.

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Congressman Brett Guthrie (KY-02), Chairman of the House Committee on Energy and Commerce, and Congressman Morgan Griffith (VA-09), Chairman of the Subcommittee on Health, recently announced a hearing titled Healthier America: Legislative Proposals to Improve Public Health.

The hearing, scheduled for April 15, 2026, at 10:15 am, will focus on the bills below that address various areas of public health, including disease research and prevention efforts, bolstering resources for rural medical services and health care providers, promoting healthy activities, and increasing access to care.

The hearing will be open to the public and will be livestreamed online.

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Replay icon on wooden cubes on smart grey background and copy space. Recap business, meeting summary, business review concept.

The Department of Human Services (DHS) held a “kickoff” webinar to discuss the Rural Health Transformation Plan (RHTP) and have released the recording and slides for the presentation, which are available here. DHS is currently awaiting the release of the Request for Proposal (RFP) for the first phase of Year 1 implementation.

Year 1 Funding Mechanisms will include:

  • Expansion of existing programs;
  • Program payments;
  • Intergovernmental agreements; and
  • Grant agreements.

If your organization has an interest in these RFPs, RCPA will provide updates as appropriate, but we also encourage you to sign up directly for the DHS listserv info. Direct RHTP inquiries can be sent here.

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Photo by Larry Crayton on Unsplash

The Office of Child Development and Early Learning (OCDEL) has released the Family Leadership Toolkit, which is designed for state-level professionals and family leaders working to elevate family voices in systems changes. The Family Leadership Toolkit offers practical tools, strategies, and real-world examples to help build strong, collaborative partnerships between professionals and family leaders. You can:

  • Use it to guide leadership development.
  • Share it with your networks and colleagues.
  • Introduce it in meetings, trainings, and planning sessions.
  • Promote it through your organization’s communication channels.

Access The Family Leadership Toolkit here. For questions, please reach out to OCDEL via email.

Additional questions can be directed to RCPA COO and Mental Health Policy Director Jim Sharp.

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