Monday, June 1, 2026 1:00 pm – 2:00 pm EDT; 12:00 pm – 1:00 pm CDT; 11:00 am – 12:00 pm MDT; 10:00 am – 11:00 am PDT Register Here Presenters: Diane Ulmer, OTR/L is an Occupational Therapist and SCI Program Manager for Madonna Rehabilitation Hospitals in Nebraska where she provides leadership over a continuum of care. She provides education throughout the region on the unique aspects of SCI care. She serves on the Nebraska AgrAbility Advisory Council, the IPRC Pediatric Neurogenic Bowel and Bladder Work Group, and is Vice President for the Nebraska Chapter of the United Spinal Association. Diane also facilitates a monthly SCI support group. Lyn Sapp, MN, RN, CRRN is a Nursing Practice Specialist for the Inpatient Rehabilitation Unit at Seattle Children’s Hospital in Seattle, Washington. The rehab unit has been her home base since 1985, with additional experiences in outpatient, home care, and school nursing. After obtaining her master’s in nursing, Lyn participated in the growth and development of the inpatient unit as a manager, educator, and nurse specialist. A post-master’s certificate in pediatrics has led to further experiences in quality improvement and staff education. As a member of the Association of Rehabilitation Nursing, she has experienced enrichment through certification, presenting, learning, publishing, and networking. Lyn also serves as an active member of the IPRC Steering Committee. Carly Rosenthal, MS, OTR/L is a pediatric occupational therapist specializing in neurorehabilitation and pelvic floor dysfunction. She currently practices at Nemours Children’s Hospital in Wilmington, Delaware, where she provides inpatient and outpatient rehabilitation for children with complex diagnoses including traumatic brain injury, cerebral palsy, spinal cord injury, and stroke. Carly is also the primary occupational therapist within the Spinal Dysfunction Clinic at Nemours. Carly’s work focuses on maximizing independence and quality of life through evidence-based, family-centered care, with a particular interest in functional continence and neurogenic bowel and bladder management. Objectives: At the end of this session, the learner will: Identify the roles of the multidisciplinary team in management of self-catheterization management of neurogenic bladder; Apply evidence-based, task-specific training techniques for self-catheterization to improve outcomes, promote independence, and reduce health risks; and Implement strategies and adaptations to promote success in independent self-catheterization. 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 .

The Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency (PCCD) is now accepting applications for funding under the 2026–2027 Byrne Justice Assistance Grant (JAG) solicitation from eligible governmental and non-governmental agencies and organizations seeking to implement projects and programs that directly address the objectives and goals outlined in PCCD’s approved 2026–2030 Strategic Framework . Eligible organizations include local units of government (including counties) and non-profit organizations. A total of $8,221,880 in federal Byrne JAG funds is being announced to support this initiative. PCCD expects to fund approximately 30–35 grants with budgets not to exceed $250,000 over the two-year project period. The funding announcement details new guidelines regarding eligibility criteria, eligible program activities, and documentation. Applications must be submitted electronically through PCCD’s Egrants system by July 14, 2026. Questions regarding this funding announcement should be emailed with “2026/27 Byrne Justice Assistance Grant (JAG)” as the subject line. Questions must be received by close of business on July 7, 2026. All questions and answers will be posted under this funding announcement title on the Active Funding Announcements page of the PCCD website.

Press Release from the Department of Human Services : Published May 14, 2026

Message from the National Council for Mental Wellbeing: Yesterday, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) released its proposed rule, Medicaid Managed Care State Directed Payments and Medicaid Fee-for-Service Targeted Medicaid Practitioner Payments , implementing provisions of H.R.1 to establish new limits on certain Medicaid managed care State directed payments (SDP). Additional information on the proposal can be found in the press release and fact sheet . In alignment with H.R.1, total SDP rates are capped at 100% of Medicare in expansion states and 110% in non-expansion states for inpatient hospital services, outpatient hospital services, nursing facility services, and qualified practitioner services at an academic medical center. Where a Medicare benchmark is unavailable, the payment limit would be 100% of the state-plan-approved rate. However, most significantly, the proposed rule would extend the SDP limits beyond the four original services under H.R.1 (listed above) to all SDPs, regardless of service type, in all states, Washington, D.C., and all territories beginning Jan. 1, 2029. The proposed rule would also apply similar limits to certain targeted Medicaid fee-for-service payments. This would include behavioral health SDPs and could lead to significant disruption in 2029. Additional provisions in the proposed rule include proposals to: Eliminate uniform increase SDPs as a permissible type of SDP for rating periods beginning on or after January 1, 2028, with a limited exception for grandfathered SDPs. Permit states to adopt minimum or maximum fee schedules that are no greater than the applicable payment rate limit without CMS prior approval for rating periods beginning on or after January 1, 2028. Establish new claims-level compliance and reporting requirements, including submission of provider-specific (NPI-level) data, identification of applicable benchmark rates, and documentation of controls to ensure that each individual service payment does not exceed the cap. Introduce new reconciliation requirements for value-based payment SDPs, requiring states to demonstrate post-period compliance with the cap at the service level. The rule specifies that payments exceeding the cap constitute Medicaid overpayments subject to recovery and reporting requirements, explicitly linking SDP limits to existing overpayment regulations. The rule is set to be formally published in the Federal Register on May 22, with a 60-day comment period following its publication. The National Council will continue to further review this proposal, provide you with timely updates, and will plan to submit comments on this rule. We are here to support you every step of the way through these changes. For additional information on H.R.1, please visit the National Council’s H.R.1 Hub . If you have any questions, please reach out via email .

The Office of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services (OMHSAS), in partnership with other Department of Human Services Program Offices and Executive Branch agencies, has issued OMHSAS-26-03: Rescission of Joint Class One Bulletins . The purpose of this is to rescind bulletins that do not align with current policies, practices, or procedures that were jointly issued by Program Offices/Departments in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. This bulletin is also classified as ODP Bulletin 00-26-02, OCDEL-26-01, OCYF 00-26-01, and OIM 00-26-01. If you any questions, please contact your RCPA Policy Director.

The Pennsylvania Department of Health (PA DOH) has released an advisory regarding a multi-country cluster of Hantavirus cases linked to an international cruise ship expedition. The outbreak has been connected to the Andes virus strain, which is notable because it is the only known hantavirus capable of limited person-to-person transmission under close, prolonged exposure conditions. As of May 11, 2026, nine cases and three deaths have been reported internationally. At this time, PA DOH reports no known Pennsylvania residents connected to the outbreak. Hantavirus infections remain extremely rare in the United States and particularly in Pennsylvania, where only two cases have been reported since 2010. Most infections are associated with exposure to rodent urine, droppings, saliva, or nesting materials in enclosed or poorly ventilated areas. Providers and organizations should be aware of symptoms consistent with Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome (HPS), including fever, fatigue, muscle aches, cough, and shortness of breath, particularly when there is a known history of rodent exposure or close contact with a symptomatic individual linked to the Andes virus strain. Early symptoms may resemble influenza or COVID-19. The Department of Health is advising healthcare providers to immediately report suspected cases to local public health authorities or the PA Department of Health at 877-PA-HEALTH. RCPA encourages members to review the PA-HAN advisory and fact sheet for additional clinical guidance, infection control recommendations, and environmental cleaning protocols related to rodent exposure and prevention.

Family-Centered Care: One Organization’s Revolutionary Approach to Include Families in All Aspects of Care Monday, June 15, 2026 1:00 pm – 2:00 pm EDT; 12:00 pm – 1:00 pm CDT; 11:00 am – 12:00 pm MDT; 10:00 am – 11:00 am PDT Register Here We appreciate your patience with rescheduling this event. All previous registrants have been automatically registered for the June 15 session; no additional registration is required. We apologize if you are no longer able to attend. The webinar will be recorded and archived on the IPRC website. 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 .

RCPA is happy to announce our 2026 Annual Membership meeting, which is scheduled for Tuesday, June 2, 2026, at 9:30 am. We are offering this meeting as a hybrid event to all members. Please register here to attend in person at the RCPA Conference Center or via webcast. It is not necessary to attend in person to cast your vote. This year’s agenda and the 2025 Annual Meeting minutes are both available for review. The RCPA Nominating Committee has proposed a list of RCPA member representatives to serve as directors and officers of the RCPA Board of Directors. Please VOTE HERE in advance of the Annual Meeting for the election of RCPA Board of Directors and Officers. Following the Annual Meeting, RCPA is hosting a golf outing to benefit the RCPA PAC. It’s not too late to register and join us at the Colonial Golf & Tennis Club in Harrisburg, PA! You can also become a sponsor to support the event and receive recognition. If you are not a golfer but would like to support the RCPA PAC, please consider making a personal online contribution . For those members who wish to attend the Annual Meeting in person and need overnight accommodations, utilize the RCPA negotiated discounted rates at the following hotels: Best Western Premier is located across from the RCPA office. RCPA rate of $119.95 plus 11% occupancy tax. Rates are based upon room availability. Reservations can be made by calling 717-735-9397. Sheraton Harrisburg-Hershey is located on Lindle Road, Harrisburg. Rates start at $165.00 plus tax. Please use corporate code A3933 to access the special rate online. Reservations can also be made by calling 1-800-325-3535. Indicate that you are with RCPA when booking. Thank you. We look forward to your participation!

Title: HR 1 Eligibility Redeterminations: New Requirements, Timeline and Recommendations Date/Time: Tuesday, May 19, 2026 | 1:00 pm ET  Registration Link Last summer, HR 1 was passed by Congress and introduced significant changes to the Medicaid program. Among the many provisions of the bill that impact Medicaid was a directive to increase the frequency of program eligibility redeterminations for certain enrollees, from once every twelve months to once every six months. This webinar will explore this provision of HR 1 and its potential ramifications for both states and providers, along with recommendations on how states, behavioral health organizations, and state partners can best prepare themselves for these changes, including: Discussion of the new requirements, including additional guidance issued by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) on March 6. Walking through the timeline for implementation and relevant decision points that states will need to make along the way. Discussion of recommendations for maintaining coverage for as many individuals as possible, while ensuring workforce and technical capacities remain strong. Register for the webinar here . Please contact RCPA Policy Specialist Emma Sharp with any questions.

Power in Purpose at the 2026 RCPA Conference! The RCPA 2026 Annual Conference, Power in Purpose: Promoting Possibilities, will take place from September 29 – October 2 at the Hershey Lodge. This conference is consistently a landmark event for the Pennsylvania behavioral health, brain injury, children’s, early intervention, intellectual and developmental disabilities, medical rehabilitation, and physical disabilities and aging provider communities. Several popular speakers are participating this year, including: Dave Raymond, the "Hero of Happiness" — Author, international keynote speaker, thought leader, and the original Phillie Phanatic. Judge Victor Reyes — Renowned facilitator of discussions on self-respect, self-compassion, domestic violence, and leader of yoga/mindfulness classes. Jennifer Lynn Robison – Lifestyle and communications expert, TEDx speaker, media contributor, and traumatic brain injury survivor/advocate. Ed Krow — Talent Transformation Expert on understanding the employee/employer dynamic, achieving talent and culture transformations, and turning negative growth into success. Connections Hall In addition to the Connections Hall activities, there are many networking opportunities throughout the conference. Exhibitors will also have the chance to compete for "Best of Show!" Sponsor and Exhibitor Opportunities Our conference is privileged to have the support of the finest organizations in the field. Contributing organizations are honored by RCPA through sponsorship circles. View our Sponsor/Exhibitor/Advertiser brochure , for the opportunity of name recognition and exhibitor booth self-selection (with completed contract and payment). Sponsorships and exhibit booths are reserved on a first-come, first-served basis. The deadline to submit all materials and be listed on the website, mobile app, and in the conference program is Tuesday, September 8. Please contact Conference Coordinator Carol Ferenz with any questions. RCPA thanks these organizations that have committed their support to our 2026 Conference. You help make this conference an extraordinary, educational, and meaningful event for Pennsylvania's provider communities!

RCPA Presents HR 1 Medicaid Summit

Please disregard this reminder if you have already registered. Palliative Care Through the Rehab Continuum: Caring for Children With Complex Needs Thursday, May 14, 2026 12:00 pm – 1:00 pm EDT; 11:00 am – 12:00 pm CDT; 10:00 am – 11:00 am MDT; 9:00 am – 10:00 am PDT Register Here Kara Monnin, PhD Kara Monnin is a Clinical Assistant Professor of Pediatrics at Nationwide Children’s Hospital (NCH) and Ohio State University’s School of Medicine in Columbus, OH. She provides clinical services across multiple inpatient units, including Complex Healthcare, Inpatient Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, and acute care services (PICU, Trauma/Surgery/Neurosurgery). Dr. Monnin also serves as a member of the Advanced Illness Management/Palliative Care Team at NCH, and she specializes in traumatic brain injury, rehabilitation populations, and children and adolescents with complex medical needs. Ryan Jenkins, MD Ryan Jenkins is a Clinical Assistant Professor of Anesthesiology and a pediatric hospice and palliative medicine physician on the Advanced Illness Management Palliative Care Team at Nationwide Children’s Hospital. He provides inpatient, outpatient, and home-based palliative and hospice care to patients and families across the Nationwide Children’s healthcare system. His academic work includes the teaching of primary palliative care skills to learners of different disciplines and backgrounds. Objectives: At the end of this session, the learner will: Engage with palliative care providers (in the full scope of their practice) throughout the spectrum of illness, not just at end of life; Recognize common medical and psychological paradigms at key stages of illness; Understand how the goals of medical care after a significant neurological illness can change over time to include elements of recovery, stabilization, and/or prioritizing comfort; and Identify key takeaways for practice across the rehab continuum. 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.

Source: Becker's Hospital Review By: Alan Condon and Andrew Cass Thursday, April 30th, 2026 CMS is requiring all 50 states to audit Medicaid providers and submit detailed plans to the agency by May 23, with hospital leaders eager to understand both the scope and the limits of what’s being asked. CMS Administrator Mehmet Oz, MD, sent a letter April 23 to all state Medicaid directors directing them to develop and submit a comprehensive two-year provider revalidation strategy [read full article] . _______________________________________  View JDSUPRA's article on the same topic here .

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) recently identified a calculation issue that impacted values for the Changes in Skin Integrity measure in the inpatient rehabilitation facility (IRF) Provider Preview Reports. According to CMS, a logic error led to inaccurate assessment-based measure results for a subset of IRFs, impacting values for the Changes in Skin Integrity Post-Acute Care: Pressure Ulcer/Injury measure. Per CMS, they reissued corrected IRF Provider Preview Reports for all affected providers. The revised reports include updated assessment-based measure results for the June 2026 Care Compare refresh. To ensure accuracy and proper handling of data, CMS is requesting that any IRFs noticing ongoing discrepancies—especially for the Pressure Ulcer/Injury measure—contact the CMS IRF Help Desk directly. Provider-specific data review requests must come from the IRFs themselves so that CMS can securely and efficiently validate the underlying assessment data.

ADvancing States, in partnership with the National Association of State Directors of Developmental Disabilities and the National Association of Medicaid Directors, is excited to share a new infographic on the purpose, value, and impact of Medicaid HCBS. This resource includes an overview of key services, facts, and figures on HCBS utilization and spending, and trends and growth through rebalancing efforts. ADvancing States encourages members to use and share this infographic as a foundation for conversations about Medicaid HCBS. Use this link to view and download the infographic.

Temple University is conducting a survey to better understand and improve employment services for people with disabilities in Pennsylvania, including those who use languages other than English. This information will be included in the Comprehensive Statewide Needs Assessment (CSNA), conducted in collaboration with the Office of Vocational Rehabilitation (OVR) and the Pennsylvania Rehabilitation Council (PaRC), and will inform the State Plan. You are eligible if you: Are 18 years or older; Work for an organization in Pennsylvania; and Work for an organization that provides services to people with disabilities who speak languages other than English. The survey takes approximately 15–20 minutes to complete. It asks about your experiences providing employment services, including challenges, supports, and training needs. Participants will receive a $25 gift card. Participate in the survey, or learn more  Thank you for considering this opportunity to share your experiences and improve services for people with disabilities who speak languages other than English.

Palliative Care Through the Rehab Continuum: Caring for Children With Complex Needs Thursday, May 14, 2026 12:00 pm – 1:00 pm EDT; 11:00 am – 12:00 pm CDT; 10:00 am – 11:00 am MDT; 9:00 am – 10:00 am PDT Register Here Kara Monnin, PhD Kara Monnin is a Clinical Assistant Professor of Pediatrics at Nationwide Children’s Hospital (NCH) and Ohio State University’s School of Medicine in Columbus, OH. She provides clinical services across multiple inpatient units, including Complex Healthcare, Inpatient Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, and acute care services (PICU, Trauma/Surgery/Neurosurgery). Dr. Monnin also serves as a member of the Advanced Illness Management/Palliative Care Team at NCH, and she specializes in traumatic brain injury, rehabilitation populations, and children and adolescents with complex medical needs. Ryan Jenkins, MD Ryan Jenkins is a Clinical Assistant Professor of Anesthesiology and a pediatric hospice and palliative medicine physician on the Advanced Illness Management Palliative Care Team at Nationwide Children’s Hospital. He provides inpatient, outpatient, and home-based palliative and hospice care to patients and families across the Nationwide Children’s healthcare system. His academic work includes the teaching of primary palliative care skills to learners of different disciplines and backgrounds. Objectives: At the end of this session, the learner will: Engage with palliative care providers (in the full scope of their practice) throughout the spectrum of illness, not just at end of life; Recognize common medical and psychological paradigms at key stages of illness; Understand how the goals of medical care after a significant neurological illness can change over time to include elements of recovery, stabilization, and/or prioritizing comfort; and Identify key takeaways for practice across the rehab continuum. 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.

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.

Each year, the beginning of April marks the start of our membership renewal period. The renewal email has been sent to the renewal contact(s) for Rehabilitation and Community Providers Association (RCPA) members, as well as members of the International Pediatric Rehabilitation Collaborative (IPRC).To renew your organization’s membership, please forward a completed membership application and dues payment by July 1, 2026, to Tieanna Lloyd . RCPA members can access membership applications on our website’s Join/Renew web page . IPRC members can access the membership application on IPRC’s website . Questions? Contact Tieanna Lloyd , Membership Services/Business Partnerships Manager.

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 .

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. H.R. 4348 , To reauthorize the Kay Hagan Tick Act, and for other purposes Reps. Smith-NJ and Doggett H.R. 4541 , EARLY Act Reauthorization of 2025 Reps. Wasserman Schultz and Miller-Meeks H.R. 3747 , Accelerating Access to Dementia and Alzheimer’s Provider Training Act Reps. Balderson and Barragán H.R. 8209 , School-Based Health Centers Reauthorization Act of 2026 Reps. Tonko and Balderson H.R. 5160 , Stem Cell Therapeutic and Research Reauthorization Act of 2025 Reps. Smith-NJ and Matsui H.R. 8205 , Accelerating Access to Critical Therapies for ALS Reauthorization Act of 2026 Reps. Quigley and Calvert H.R. 6121 , Promoting Physical Activity for Americans Act Reps. Moore and Panetta Nutrition Education and Chronic Disease Prevention in Community Health Centers Act of 2026 Rep. Harshbarger H.R. 8201 , Expanding Community Access to Health Services Act Rep. Lee-NV Digital Health Screeners Act of 2026 Rep. Balderson The hearing will be open to the public and will be livestreamed online.

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 .

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 .

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) has released the fiscal year (FY) 2027 inpatient rehabilitation facility prospective payment system (IRF PPS) proposed rule . The proposed rule includes some technical proposals that would modify the IRF coverage and documentation requirements as well as IRF QRP submission deadlines. The proposed rule does not include any proposals to modify the existing IRF transfer policy. The proposed rule does, however, include several Requests for Information (RFI) that could indicate potential future impactful changes. On the FY 2027 payment side, the rule would provide an overall 2.8% increase to estimated payments per discharge, compared to the 2.6% payment update that CMS finalized for FY 2026. FY 2027 Payment Updates Aggregate Estimated Payment Increase: 2.8% / $355 million (field-wide) Market Basket Update (with Productivity Adjustment): 2.4% Labor-Related Share: 74.5% Standard Payment Conversion Factor: $19,881 Outlier Threshold: $8,689 (from $10,141 in FY 2026) FY 2027 Coverage, Payment, and Documentation Policy Changes Initiation of Therapy Requirement CMS proposes to clarify the requirement that therapy be initiated within 36 hours of midnight of the day of admission to the IRF. Documenting Function in Preadmission Screen CMS proposes to expand the elements required in the preadmission screening (PAS) to include “current functional status” as well as prior level of function. Timing of Interdisciplinary Team Meeting CMS proposes to tighten the requirement for the timing of the weekly interdisciplinary team meeting by requiring an initial interdisciplinary team meeting to occur “on or before the fourth day from midnight on the date the patient is admitted” and subsequent team meetings to occur “at least once per week after the date of the prior team meeting.” Request for Information on Future IRF Payment Reform The rule includes an extensive Request for Information (RFI) on future IRF payment reform, specifically two major areas of reform: Refining the current IRF patient classification system by creating a draft list of IRF-specific clinical categories; and Creating a new system of comorbidity scoring to better account for the severity and number of comorbidities for IRF patients. The RFI does not propose any of these changes be implemented in FY 2027 but requests stakeholder feedback on both areas. CMS also references two new technical reports addressing their PPS changes under consideration; these are available for download as part of the rule’s associated data files here . FY 2027 Quality Reporting Program Updates Proposal to Revise Data Submission Deadlines for the IRF QRP For the FY 2029 IRF QRP, which will be based upon Calendar Year 2027 data, CMS is proposing to reduce this timeline to the “15th day of the second month following the end of calendar quarter.” The proposed rule will be published in the Federal Register on April 6, 2026. Comments on the proposed rule are due by June 1, 2026.

Yesterday, March 31, 2026, the Department of Human Services (DHS) held a “kickoff” webinar to discuss the Rural Health Transformation Plan (RHTP). The slides have not been released; however, RCPA will share the PowerPoint with members once they are available. The webinar did not provide definitive next steps in terms of which category of Request for Proposal (RFP) would be released and when. RFPs will be periodically rolled out, and DHS indicated that the first RFP release would be in the next two weeks. The Department also shared the broad categories of project areas for consideration, stating that all RFP responses should closely tie back to their approved CMS plan. DHS touched on the fact that RHTP funding and compliance will be achieved through continual cooperative agreements with CMS. Below is a broader timeline highlighting certain reporting and funding dates, as well as broader categorical areas the state is pursuing. End of First Reporting Period – July 31, 2026 First Annual Report Due to CMS – August 31, 2026 Obligation of Year 1 Funding – October 30, 2026 Year 2 Funding – October 31, 2026 Quarterly Reports Due to CMS – November 29, 2026; March 1, 2027, May 30, 2027 Spending Deadline for Year 1 – September 30, 2027 By March 31, 2028, CMS will begin determining the amount of unused funds from the prior period to redistribute them to other states. 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 . If you have further questions, please contact your RCPA Policy Director.

The Pennsylvania Department of Human Services has been rolling out new tools over the last year to help Pennsylvanians track, manage, and protect their benefits. Here’s what’s new: My Benefits Status Tracker Self-Service Password Reset Lock EBT Cards View the Substack post for complete details!

As the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) continues to provide updates on the H.R. 1 implementation, the PA Department of Human Services (DHS) has provided some updated information and guidance on their activities outlining the state’s plan for compliance by January 1, 2027. DHS H.R. 1 Steering Committee As previously reported, DHS has created an H.R. 1 Steering Committee, which was initially thought to be the group tasked with oversight of implementation and stakeholder feedback as the state seeks to finalize their policies and practices to support implementation of the Medicaid eligibility and community engagement requirements. The first meeting yielded a slide deck outlining the timeframes for implementation, and RCPA has created a one-page timeline for Medicaid change implementation. It was reported this week at the Medical Assistance Advisory Committee (MAAC)meeting that the DHS H.R. 1 Steering Committee will be responsible for reporting out of activities but will not serve as a work group. RCPA CEO and President Richard Edley, a member of the Steering Committee, questioned the lack of stakeholder engagement, with an emphasis on the need for a group that can provide critical feedback to DHS. The hope is the MAAC and its various subcommittees can function as this forum. Eligibility Redeterminations CMS has released guidance to the States relating to the eligibility standards with two separate options for implementation timelines: either beginning all new redetermination effective January 1, 2027, or redetermination will occur at the natural expiration of the current expansion enrollees’ eligibility in 2027. Our partners at the National Council have provided the following resources: Overview of Key Takeaways From the CMS Eligibility Redetermination Letter HR. 1 Implementation Journey Map White Paper on the Community Engagement Requirements New SNAP Work and Education Program Certification Process DHS has also announced a new initiative to certify more eligible work and education programs that serve SNAP recipients. This new certification program will increase the number of work and education providers available statewide, which will help SNAP recipients meet their federal work and community engagement reporting requirements . Through the new process, work and education programs that are not currently contracted as DHS SNAP Employment and Training (SNAP E&T) programs but provide similar services can apply for PA DHS certification. This certification is only through PA DHS and helps ensure SNAP recipients are meeting federal work and community engagement requirements. The certification program eligibility criteria and application form can be found here . Previously, there was no way for other work and education programs to receive PA DHS certification. This new, simple process requires some basic information about the organization, the number of anticipated participants slots, and typical weekly program hours. Streamlining the certification process means that more Pennsylvanians who are already participating in work, education, or training can meet their federal work and community engagement reporting requirements to remain eligible for SNAP benefits. PA DHS encourages work and education programs that are not already a PA DHS SNAP E&T program to apply for certification if they already provide work and education services to SNAP recipients and meet the outlined criteria. Please note that becoming DHS-certified as a qualified SNAP work and education program recognizes that a program meets the requirements of a SNAP E&T program and does not mean state or federal funding will be available for this program. If SNAP recipients have questions about how to report work, education, training, or volunteering activities, they can talk with a caseworker at DHS’ County Assistance Office or call the Customer Service Center at 877-395-8930 (or 215-560-7226 for people living in Philadelphia). If a Pennsylvanian loses SNAP benefits, they can reapply anytime. PA DHS strongly encourages people to reapply if they lost benefits but have since started to meet work, training, education, or volunteering requirements or meet an exemption . If Pennsylvanians aren’t sure whether they are eligible for SNAP benefits, PA DHS’ online screening tool can help. By answering a quick and simple set of yes or no questions , SNAP applicants and recipients can find out if they still need to meet the work requirements, if they’ve started meeting the work requirements, or if they are likely to now be eligible for an exemption. Please contact your RCPA Policy Director with any questions.

The American Association of Retired Persons (AARP) Public Policy Institute has released a series of new research insights that highlights American adults’ views on a variety of issue areas. One of the recent releases focuses on brain health and includes the following resource topics: Healthy Eating Dementia Hearing and Brain Health Traumatic Brain Injury Music and Brain Health Mental Health, Emotional Well-Being, and Resiliency Delirium Visit here to read more about each of these resource topics.

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) has released the final rule that implements requirements of the Administrative Simplification subtitle of the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA), and the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (ACA), as amended by the Health Care and Education Reconciliation Act of 2010, enacted on March 30, 2010. Specifically, this final rule adopts standards for health care claims attachments transactions, which will support health care claims transactions and a standard for electronic signatures to be used in conjunction with health care claims attachments transactions. The final rule will slash wasteful spending and antiquated paperwork by swapping out faxing and mailing for streamlined electronic transactions. This action lets providers spend less time on administrative hassle and more time caring for patients and is projected to save the healthcare industry approximately $781 million on an annual basis. The final rule will be published in tomorrow’s (March 24, 2026) Federal Register and will become effective on May 19, 2026. Covered entities must comply by May 19, 2028.