DOH: Over 8.9 Million Vaccinations To Date, 51.2% Of Entire Population Received First Dose
Wolf to Lift Mitigation Orders Memorial Day, Masking Order Once 70% of PA Adults Fully Vaccinated
Pennsylvanians ages 16 and older who want a vaccine are urged to get one
Harrisburg, PA – The Wolf administration, in coordination with the COVID-19 Vaccine Joint Task Force, announced today that mitigation orders except masking will be lifted on Memorial Day, Monday, May 31 at 12:01 AM.
The current order requiring Pennsylvanians to wear masks will be lifted when 70% of Pennsylvanians age 18 and older are fully vaccinated. Face coverings are required to be worn indoors and outdoors if you are away from your home. In accordance with the latest Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidance, fully vaccinated Pennsylvanians are not required to wear a mask during certain activities.
“We continue to make significant progress in the fight to stop the spread of COVID-19 and as more Pennsylvania adults get vaccinated and guidance from the CDC evolves, we can continue to move forward with our reopening efforts,” Department of Health Acting Secretary Alison Beam said. “I encourage Pennsylvanians to take the critical steps needed to put this pandemic behind us by getting vaccinated, follow through with both doses if you receive the Moderna or Pfizer vaccines, and continue to take steps like masking, frequent hand washing and sanitizing and social distancing.”
Requirements such as testing and reporting new cases will remain in place for hospitals and long-term care facilities. Maintaining requirements for hospitals and long-term care facilities will allow Pennsylvania to continue to closely monitor COVID-19 spread while lifting other restrictions.
The Department of Health recommends that Pennsylvanians refer to CDC guidance and recommendations regarding ongoing COVID-19 safety measures and procedures.
These updates will not prevent municipalities and school districts from continuing and implementing stricter mitigation efforts.
“With millions of Pennsylvanians getting vaccinated, it’s time to plan the transition back to normal,” said Sen. Art Haywood. “Hospitalizations and deaths are down. This action today is a key step forward.”
“While the restrictions that were put in place at the outset of the pandemic have been a major source of frustration for many Pennsylvanians and businesses, it is the collaborative work of this bipartisan Task Force that is allowing us to finally roll back the restrictions and get back to normal life,” said Sen. Ryan Aument.
“I’m thrilled after more than a year that we are able to lift these restrictions so that we can move to more normal life,” said Rep. Tim O’Neal. “This will help grow our economy and assist our small businesses that have sacrificed so much due to COVID-19. Thank you to Pennsylvanians who have chosen to be vaccinated. Your efforts have helped us arrive at today.”
“I am proud of the progress we have made with vaccinations throughout Pennsylvania,” said Rep. Bridget Kosierowski. “Lifting mitigation orders on Memorial Day and announcing that masking orders will be lifted once 70 percent of Pennsylvania’s adults are fully vaccinated are all benefits from following the scientific medical research and data. Many sacrifices had been made over the past year while we waited for help. The help is now here in the form of a vaccine and we must do everything we can to encourage everyone to receive their vaccination so we can overcome this pandemic. Let’s follow the science, because it’s the path to us all returning to normalcy.”
The governor’s Proclamation of Disaster Emergency for the COVID-19 pandemic remains in place.
All Pennsylvanians ages 16 and older are eligible to schedule a COVID-19 vaccine. The provider map is available on the Department of Health’s website. Pennsylvanians with questions about the vaccination process can call the Department of Health hotline at 1-877-724-3258.
More information is available on the COVID-19 Data Dashboard.
MEDIA CONTACT: Barry Ciccocioppo
Documents from May 4 MLTSS Subcommittee Meeting
During the May 4, 2021 Managed Long-Term Services and Supports (MLTSS) Subcommittee meeting, the following documents were shared with attendees. The primary focus of this meeting was on stakeholder experiences with COVID-19 with the Community HealthChoices (CHC) Managed Care Organizations (MCOs).
HHS Launches New Reimbursement Program for COVID-19 Vaccine Administration Fees Not Covered by Insurance
FDA Expected to Give the Go-Ahead Within a Week Allowing Teens to Receive the Pfizer Vaccine
Employers Start Requiring Vaccines for New Hires
D&A and Mental Health Member APA Survey
As part of RPCA’s ongoing effort with members and stakeholders regarding the Alternative Pay Arrangements/Agreements (APAs), we are asking members to complete this brief APA Survey.
We respectfully request that the survey be completed as the APAs apply to your Drug & Alcohol, Children’s, and Adult Mental Health services continuum. The data we collect will be instrumental in our collective efforts with DHS and managed care organizations regarding strategic fiscal considerations, as the current APAs are set to end on Wednesday, June 30, 2021.
We request the surveys be completed by Friday, May 7, 2021. Thank you, and if you have questions, please contact RCPA Director of Children’s Division Jim Sharp or your RCPA Policy Director.
A New Era at the National Council Begins
Dear Board Members:
In just a few hours, NatCon21 will officially kick off, uniting thousands of health care professionals online to learn, network and raise their voices. They will also witness an important moment in our history, one you helped shape through your leadership, feedback and support. On May 5, as we close NatCon21, we will officially announce our name change to the National Council for Mental Wellbeing.
As you know, a lot of time, research and consideration was put into selecting this name. We wanted one that holds true to our history, reflects our role, acknowledges change and honors the contributions of the hard-working members who are the foundation of the National Council. We believe we’ve found it. Our new name more aptly reflects the work we do, ensures greater inclusivity, helps us reach more people in new ways, and better articulates our impact and aspirations.
“Mental wellbeing” makes a powerful statement that summarizes our passion and purpose. It means thriving regardless of a mental health or substance use challenge. It represents resilience, strength and recovery. It’s a phrase that promotes the importance of preventive care and the need to increase access to life-saving services. And it’s a powerful reflection of who we are and what the proud members of this organization do daily.
Moving forward, with your ongoing support, we will own this phrase. We will embody it through our actions. We will build the narrative behind it. And we will commit to making mental wellbeing a reality for everyone, everywhere. That means ensuring equitable access to care, building capacity for mental health and substance use treatment organizations and continuously promoting mental wellbeing as a core component of health and health care.
We are excited to be on this journey with you, and we are grateful for your support as we welcome a new era at the National Council together. For new brand resources, please visit our webpage.
Regards,
Chuck Ingoglia
President and CEO
National Council for Mental Wellbeing
TheNationalCouncil.org
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