HAP's Latest News

Last week, Pennsylvania’s U.S. Senators Bob Casey (D) and Pat Toomey (R) joined the signing of a bipartisan letter led by Senators Cassidy (R-LA) and Smith (D-MN) showing support for the flexibilities the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) created to enhance providers’ ability to care for patients via telemedicine (also known as telehealth) during the COVID-19 pandemic.

A bipartisan group of U.S. Senators last week introduced legislation to help hospitals that participate in the 340B Drug Pricing Program maintain eligibility during the COVID-19 pandemic. The bill would allow hospitals to remain eligible for the program throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, even if their inpatient volumes fall below the benchmarks set by the federal government.

Today, the American Hospital Association, the American Medical Association, and the American Nurses Association released a joint open letter to the American public, urging them to continue their efforts to prevent the spread of COVID-19. The letter emphasizes the importance wearing face masks, keeping safe distances, and frequently washing hands.

Yesterday, the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania ruled in favor of Governor Wolf in his case to determine whether the state General Assembly could overturn the COVID-19 Disaster Declaration. In a 5-to-2 ruling, the court held that a concurrent resolution passed by the Pennsylvania House of Representatives and Senate to terminate the declaration must be presented to the governor for his veto or signature per the state’s Constitution.

Yesterday, the Wolf Administration announced that it has expanded its order requiring universal masking in all public spaces. Under the expansion, Pennsylvanians now are required to wear a mask any time they are inside a public place, or are outdoors and unable to practice safe physical distancing.