Advocacy Opportunity! Text Governor Shapiro to Stress the Importance of ABA Access and Services
Reminder: RCPA Member Orientation Webinar on July 10
RCPA is excited to host a membership benefits webinar on Thursday, July 10, 2025, at 10:00 am, as an opportunity for members to orient themselves with all that RCPA membership includes. This is not just for new and future members. For current members, there may be benefits associated with our membership that you may not be aware of, including targeted meetings and groups that occur throughout the year.
Registration is required; please register here to attend the webinar. Items we will review include the below and much more:
- Virtually meet the dedicated RCPA Policy Staff and RCPA lobbyists;
- Discuss the 2025 Legislative and Administrative priorities;
- Preview RCPA divisional committee and subcommittee meetings and what they offer;
- View the RCPA member-only website;
- Review exclusive yearly educational and networking events; and
- Understand the value of the National Association and ANCOR memberships included with RCPA membership.
Visit the RCPA member benefits web page for more information, or contact Tieanna Lloyd for benefit details.
HB 1590 “4 Walls” Telehealth Legislation Passes House
Message from Rep. Dan Williams’s Office:
HARRISBURG, June 24 – Bipartisan legislation introduced by state Rep. Dan Williams, D-Chester, that would help Pennsylvanians take advantage of new federal Medicaid rules that give patients and clinicians more telehealth options for behavioral health services passed the PA House today with overwhelming support.
“The longstanding and outdated ‘four walls’ requirement has limited Medicaid reimbursement to services within the physical walls of a clinic,” said Williams. “This only creates barriers to care, particularly in rural areas and regions experiencing mental health workforce shortages.”
The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services gave states the option to waive the requirement on Jan. 1. In response, the Pennsylvania Department of Human Services has submitted a State Plan Amendment to adopt this flexibility, which is currently awaiting federal approval.
House Bill 1590 would repeal state regulations that conflict with the new federal flexibility. Importantly, the bill would not change existing rules requiring in-person treatment hours for outpatient behavioral health clinics.
“Under this bill, Pennsylvania can fully implement the change, expanding access to behavioral health services and reducing care gaps for our vulnerable populations across the Commonwealth,” Williams said.
The bill now moves to the state Senate for consideration.
It is important to note that, at this time, OMHSAS is awaiting approval from CMS. To address the Federal Medicaid payment conditions in the Pennsylvania statute, there was a need for this legislation to permit services be covered under Medicaid, and HB 1590 would achieve this. It is also important to reiterate that this bill will not change outpatient behavioral health clinic rules requiring in-person treatment hours. The passage of this bill will address these conditions for outpatient clinics as well as the delivery of SUD services.
Both the CMS SPA approval and the legislation would be retroactive to January 1, 2025.
Until then, the completion of both the SPA and the legislation on 4 walls flexibilities will remain in place. RCPA is grateful to have partnered with OMHSAS, House legislators, and other stakeholder associations on the development of this bill. We will continue our efforts in getting the legislation to the Governor’s desk.
If you have any questions, please contact RCPA COO and Director of Mental Health Services Jim Sharp.
Free Webinar Focuses on Intersection of Brain Injury, Aging, and Behavioral Health
The National Association of State Head Injury Administrators (NASHIA) will be conducting a free webinar, “Addressing the Intersection of Brain Injury, Aging, and Behavioral Health,” on July 16, 2025, from 12:00 pm – 1:15 pm. Register here.
As the population ages, the overall rate of brain injury in older adults in the US is increasing, and the intersection of brain injury and behavioral health becomes an increasingly critical topic. Brain injury can have long-lasting cognitive, behavioral, and emotional effects for older adults. Certain predisposing factors can make it more likely for an older adult to experience behavioral health challenges after a BI, including sleep problems, anxiety, substance use disorders, low income, negative thinking, and poor social functioning. A brain injury can increase the symptoms of a pre-existing behavioral health disorder. Secondary factors can complicate behavioral health conditions, such as loss of employment, inability to drive, sleep issues, relationship problems, and social isolation.
This webinar will provide an overview on the relationship between aging, brain injury, and behavioral health, highlighting the unique challenges older adults face and the strategies that can improve their quality of life. A brief introduction to the Aging and Behavioral Health Guide will be given, and attendees will learn more about tools and interventions that can support their work. National organizations who conduct work with the Aging Network and Mental Health Systems will provide tips for initiating or improving partnerships within both state aging networks and behavioral health systems.
Attendees do not need to be a member of NASHIA, and the webinar is free of charge (unless applying for a certificate of attendance or social work CEs).
Shapiro Administration Conducting Women’s Health Survey
The Pennsylvania Insurance Department, in partnership with the Department of Health (DOH), the Department of Human Services (DHS), and the Department of Drug and Alcohol Programs (DDAP), is conducting a Women’s Health Survey to better understand the health experiences and coverage needs of women across the commonwealth.
The survey is open through July 7, 2025, and takes 10 minutes or less to complete. It is designed to capture voices from all backgrounds — including women impacted by substance use disorder — so the administration can better identify and address gaps in care, coverage, and support.
Providers are asked for their help in sharing the survey by posting the flyer in their facilities and promoting the survey link on their social media or publishing the link in newsletters. All responses are anonymous and will help inform future outreach, programming, and policy decisions.
Drexel University Accepting Proposals for 33rd Annual Forensic Rights and Treatment Conference
Drexel University’s Division of Behavioral Healthcare Education will virtually host its 33rd Annual Forensic Conference, “Contemporary Issues Impacting Forensic Services,” which will be held December 10 – 11, 2025.
Proposals for workshops are now being accepted. The conference committee is also accepting nominations for the Forensic Rights and Treatment Conference Award.
Applications are due by August 29, 2025.
Contact Yolanda Ramirez with questions.
DHS Shares Cooling Center Locations
Cooling centers are designated locations with air conditioning where people can go to escape the heat during extreme temperatures. They are typically open during the hottest parts of the day and offer a cool environment, water, and sometimes other support services.
Types of locations that typically serve as cooling centers during a heatwave include:
- Senior centers;
- Libraries; and
- Other community spaces.
Please call PA 211 or visit the Search Pennsylvania 211 website for more current and up-to-date information.
Additional resources about cooling centers:
- Dauphin County Opens Cooling Centers to Help Residents Beat the Heat
- LIST: Cooling Centers in Midstate Pennsylvania | ABC27
- List: South-Central Pennsylvania Cooling Centers
- Where to Beat This Heat? Here Are Some Places to Cool Down | TribLIVE.com
- Where to Find Cooling Centers, Pools in Philadelphia, Bucks, Montgomery, Delaware, Chester Counties | CBS Philadelphia
Please note:
This is not an all-inclusive list. There are more cooling centers than those listed on the PA211 map link.
Reminder for Pharmacists on the Frontlines Webinar on July 8
Pharmacists on the Frontlines: Expanding the Reach of Care Teams
Free RCPA Members-Only Webinar
Tuesday, July 8, 2025
10:00 am – 11:00 am
Register Here
Pharmacists play a vital role in improving patient outcomes through enhanced adherence strategies and collaboration with healthcare teams. This session will explore how pharmacy teams support prescribers with patient-centered services, such as medication monitoring, adherence programs, and injection administration. Attendees will gain insights into real-world approaches that strengthen care coordination and reduce treatment barriers. Through case studies and success stories, this workshop will highlight the tangible impact of pharmacy-led interventions on patient health. Whether optimizing medication management or enhancing continuity of care, pharmacists are essential partners in driving better outcomes.
Presenters:
James Steigerwalt, PharmD, Pharma Clinical Director, Altuix
Dan Kohler, PharmD, Pharmacy Manager, Altruix
Objectives: Following this course, the learner will:
- Define the pharmacist’s role in the healthcare team, focusing on strategies that improve medication adherence, enhance care coordination, and drive better patient outcomes;
- Evaluate how pharmacy teams collaborate with prescribers through patient support services, medication monitoring, and administration of long-acting injectables; and
- Analyze real-world success stories to identify best practices and measurable impacts on patient care.
Certificates of attendance are available to RCPA members who attend this webinar; anyone interested in a certificate should contact Cathy Barrick. To apply for CEs, you will need to register for the RCPA Annual Conference Strive to Thrive and indicate you attended the webinar in your CE packet, which will be made available on the mobile app.
Contact Carol Ferenz, Conference Coordinator, for details, or visit the RCPA Conference website for information on workshops, sponsors, exhibitors, and more!
Invitation to RCPA Members for ParetoHealth Captive Information Sessions
Mental Health Safety Net Coalition Seeks Funding For Adult County MH Services
The Mental Health Safety Net (MHSN) Coalition is a group of stakeholders participating in a joint advocacy effort to protect and preserve our mental health service delivery system. The Coalition’s third advocacy letter addresses the need for funding for county mental health services for adults in Pennsylvania. The full letter can be read here.
RCPA invites all members, non-members, and systems-wide behavioral health stakeholders to participate in the Mental Health Safety Net Coalition meeting on Monday, June 23, 2025, from 2:30 pm – 3:00 pm. This meeting will serve to update the group on strategy, activities, and engagement opportunities.
Please contact Emma Sharp with any questions or if you would like to join the Coalition.
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