ProVantaCare

23/07/2025

Take Advantage of Early Bird Rates for the 2025 RCPA Annual Conference: "Strive to Thrive," in Hershey, Sept 9–12. Early bird rates end August 8, so be sure to register today!

RCPA is proud to host those who lead PA in health and human services at our Annual Conference. This year, DHS Secretary Valerie Arkoosh will be presenting as our kickoff plenary speaker on September 9. Throughout the week, we will hear updates from various departments and leaders of DHS, including:

• ODP Deputy Secretary Kristin Ahrens;
• OLTL Deputy Secretary Juliet Marsala;
• DDAP Deputy Secretary Kelly Primus; and
• OMHSAS Deputy Secretary Jennifer Smith.

Check the RCPA Conference website regularly for details and updates.

23/07/2025

Despite a pressing need for lawmakers to find new revenue sources, recreational ma*****na won’t be part of this year’s state budget. But the long-running debate over legalizing the drug is still progressing in Harrisburg, now that a key state Senate Republican has finally unveiled a proposal.

Spotlight PA is an independent, nonpartisan, and nonprofit newsroom producing investigative and public-service journalism that holds power to account and drives positive change in Pennsylvania. HARRISBURG — Despite a pressing need for lawmakers to find new revenue sources, recreational marijua...

23/07/2025

Rep. Manuel Guzman, D-Berks, posted a memo about the planned bill, which would establish a universal helmet requirement in Pennsylvania, repealing current exemptions based on age or experience.

Rep. Manuel Guzman, D-Berks County, posted a memo about the planned bill, saying it would establish a universal helmet requirement in Pennsylvania.

23/07/2025

Autism Surprise
https://mailchi.mp/openminds.com/daily-executive-briefing-wednesday-4323138?e=56f596e6fa

Article reprinted with permission from OPEN MINDS. To sign up for a free OPEN MINDS news feed on https://www.openminds.com/market-intelligence/, go to https://www.openminds.com/membership/.

22/07/2025

The sweeping, nearly 900-page tax bill, which Republicans pushed through Congress this month without any Democratic votes, will cut federal spending on Medicaid and Children’s Health Insurance Program benefits by $1.02 trillion and increase the number of uninsured Americans by 7.8 million people over the next decade, according to estimates by the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office.

Medicaid is the fourth-largest federal funding stream for school districts and allows them to pay for therapies for students with disabilities, school nurses and specialized equipment like wheelchairs.

22/07/2025

Dozens of concert venues coast to coast operated by one of the biggest names in entertainment are now certified as sensory inclusive and more are expected to come on board soon.

Dozens of concert venues coast to coast operated by one of the biggest names in entertainment are now certified as sensory inclusive and more are expected to join in soon.

22/07/2025

Federal officials say they will hold off on a plan to fast-track changes to a key disability rights law amid substantial pushback.

Federal officials say they will hold off on a plan to fast-track changes to a key disability rights law amid substantial pushback.

21/07/2025

The 988 Su***de and Crisis Lifeline has been up and running for three years. The day after its third anniversary, the Trump administration shut down a specialized option for gay and trans young people.

Callers to 988 used to be able to press 3 to reach counselors specially trained to help LGBTQ+ young people. The service had been reaching 70,000 people a month.

21/07/2025

A synthetic opioid that has grown in popularity within the state’s illicit drug supply since 2019 is temporarily being scheduled as a Class I controlled substance effective Saturday, July 19, according to the Shapiro Administration.

PENNSYLVANIA (WTAJ) — A synthetic opioid that has grown in popularity within the state’s illicit drug supply since 2019 is temporarily being scheduled as a Class I controlled substance …

21/07/2025

A new study from researchers at Carnegie Mellon University, RAND, and the University of Maryland may change the way public health officials approach opioid use. The study revealed a blind spot in the field: while researchers have closely monitored factors like the number of people using opioids, the intensity of use is largely overlooked.

(The Center Square) - A new study from researchers at Carnegie Mellon University, RAND, and the University of Maryland may change the way public health officials approach opioid use.

21/07/2025

Senate Appropriations Chairman Scott Martin spoke optimistically as he updated reporters about the late state budget Thursday, despite highlighting lawmakers’ disagreements over Medicaid and education funding in Pennsylvania.

“I would never run that through my committee,” Sen. Appropriations Chairman Scott Martin said when asked about the multiple recreational-use bills stalled in the Senate.

18/07/2025

There are very big cuts to two major assistance programs that were passed as part of this law. Those are the Medicaid program, which is known in Pennsylvania as Medical Assistance, and the SNAP program, which is the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, which is sometimes referred to as food stamps.

Pittsburgh-area advocates say the scope and the scale of the changes to the United States' social safety net will have a significant impact on Pennsylvanians who benefit from them.