(AP Photo)
By ZEKE MILLER Associated Press
WASHINGTON (AP) — The Biden administration will significantly loosen federal mask-wearing guidelines to protect against COVID-19 transmission on Friday, according to two people familiar with the matter. That will mean most Americans will no longer be advised to wear masks in indoor public settings. The new metrics will still consider caseloads, but also take into account hospitalizations and local hospital capacity. Under the new guidelines, the vast majority of Americans will no longer live in areas where indoor masking in public is recommended based on current data.

(File Photo)

(Ambridge, Pa.) There continues to be a Water issues in Ambridge this morning. Water Buffalos will be available at the Ambridge Fire Department starting at 8 AM this morning for those who are serviced by the Ambridge Water Authority who are in need of water.
The problem started yesterday around 5 a.m. there was a break inside the treatment plant and crews were unable to stop treated water from flowing back into the plant. 8,000 customers were left without service in Ambridge and parts of Harmony Township.
The water authority contracted a company to come in and build two valves to isolate the plant and pump water out to customers. The Authority said that they found that two of their man pumps had been flooded in about 30 feet of water for nearly eight hours, damaging the motors.
Now with the flooding under control, the water authority has since been able to get water flowing to customers from a reserve tank in Ambridge and two more in Economy. As service is restored, all customers are under a boil water advisory and are being told to conserve water while the authority works to get everything running as normal.

The Rochester Girls played a good solid game against a ST Joseph team that came on strong in the second half. Rochester started off with good defense boxing out ST Joseph through out the first half taking a 36 17 lead in the third quarter only to have it slip away, ST Joseph went on a 25 to 10 run on the rams and would take the lead with 2 :45 left in the game. The Rams did get the lead again  but could not hold on to it. The lady Rams are not out of the playoffs yet but they do need ST Joseph to play again like they did tonight and win their next game which would get Rochester back in the state playoffs final score ST Joseph 57 Rochester 54.

(AP Photo)
By AAMER MADHANI, ZEKE MILLER and ELLEN KNICKMEYER undefined
WASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden has announced a new round of sanctions targeting Russia after its invasion of Ukraine, charging that Russia’s Vladimir Putin “chose this war” and that his country will bear the consequences of his action. The sanctions target Russian banks, oligarchs, and high-tech sectors. The penalties fall in line with the White House’s insistence that it would look to hit Russia’s financial system and Putin’s inner circle, while also imposing export controls that would aim to starve Russia’s industries and military of U.S. semiconductors and other high-tech products. Biden, for now, is holding off imposing some of the most severe sanctions, including cutting Russia out of the SWIFT payment system.

(PITTSBURGH, Pa.)  At the height of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, many patients were unable to access care or were hesitant to go to a doctor’s office or clinic.

As a result, Highmark members turned to virtual care, and the health insurer saw telehealth utilization increase by more than 3,600 percent from 2019, with more than 3.5 million claims processed for telehealth services.

In 2021, even as many COVID-related restrictions were lifted and members felt more comfortable with in-person care, telehealth utilization by Highmark members remained virtually unchanged, with more than 3.3 million claims processed for telehealth services.

“What the data is telling us is that our members have really adapted well to virtual care,” said Dr. Timothy Law, vice president and executive medical director, Clinical Services, Highmark. “This is really great news because we are finding that virtual care can help to remove barriers to care such as traveling distance, scheduling difficulties and apprehension about going to a doctor’s office and being around other sick patients.”

Dr. Law said the data also shows that Highmark paid a total of more than $307 million in telehealth claims in 2021, with more than $303 million – or 98 percent – being paid to local doctors, hospitals and clinics.

Highmark’s claims data also shows that the most utilized service by its members was Behavioral Health, with more than 1.3 million claims, representing 42 percent of all telehealth claims.

“Telehealth and virtual care are really important for behavioral health,” said Dr. Law. “In addition to removing barriers such as distance and cost, we are finding that virtual care is also helping to remove some of the stigma associated with behavioral health, which means more people are getting the treatment they need at a time when we are seeing dramatic increases in depression and anxiety due to the pandemic.”

In fact, Highmark has added many new virtual behavioral care providers for members in recent months. Meru Health is a 12-week evidence-based program to treat depression, anxiety and burnout via a discreet smartphone app. To help improve diagnosis and treatment of OCD, Highmark is also now working with the provider NOCD to deliver virtual face to face therapy with therapists specializing in Exposure & Response Prevention (ERP).

Earlier in 2021, Highmark contracted with Ria Health, a technology-enabled telehealth medical practice that focuses on treating alcohol use disorder by combining medically assisted treatment with digital tools to help members track and record progress.

Dr. Law said members have used telemedicine services for more than behavioral health. Flu, pink eye, rashes, strep throat and sinus infections have also been treated virtually through board-certified doctors 24 hours a day via phone, tablet or computer.

Highmark’s data also showed that women were more likely to utilize telehealth by a two-to-one margin, and that members age 19 and younger accounted for 21 percent of telehealth utilization in 2021, followed by members 20-29 and 20-39 at 18 percent. Members 60 or older accounted for just 13 percent of all telehealth utilization in 2021.

For more information on accessing telehealth services, members should visit the Highmark member portal.

(PITTSBURGH. PA) – Representative Conor Lamb (PA-17) issued the following statement following the Russian invasion of Ukraine:

“This unprovoked invasion of Ukraine must be met with punitive economic sanctions by the United States and our allies.  Putin and those around him must be made to feel severe, lasting consequences for this unlawful attack.  I stand with the Ukrainian people and pray for their safety in defense of their country.”

(Photo Provided with Release)

(Harmony, PA) – Allegheny Health Network (AHN) and Steamfitters Local Union 449 officials today announced plans for a new, state-of-the-art outpatient center in Harmony. AHN Seneca Valley Outpatient Center will be located at the new Steamfitters Offices & Events Center (232 Wise Road) and will offer an array of primary, specialty and diagnostic services for residents of Harmony, Zelienople and surrounding communities.

AHN is partnering with Mascaro Construction to develop the south end of the existing complex at the Steamfitters Offices & Events Center into a 7,500-square-foot healthcare facility, which is expected to open in June.  RM Creative has been engaged to serve as the project architect.

“We are thrilled to partner with the Steamfitters Union in bringing this important new health care facility to the community, providing more convenient access to high-quality health care services closer-to-home for our patients,” said Cynthia Hundorfean, AHN President and CEO. “

Key clinical programs that will be offered at the new facility include sports medicine, orthopedics, and primary care, among other services.

Providing full-time primary care for patients at AHN Seneca Valley will be AHN primary care physician Judy Weslowski, DO. AHN orthopaedic surgeons rotating at the facility will be Timothy Sauber, MD, Nicholas Bonazza, MD, Stephen Hribar, MD and Peter Tang, MD.  Jared Ramsey, DO, an AHN sports medicine primary care and concussion management specialist will also be on site.

Complementing these physicians and programs will be a team of physical, speech and occupational therapists as well as a pelvic floor therapist and an oncology rehabilitation therapist.

Additionally, AHN Seneca Valley will offer diagnostic imaging and laboratory services on site. The center will feature patient-friendly wayfinding throughout and ample front-door parking.

“We’re hearing from people who live in neighboring communities that they are very pleased with AHN and Highmark Health’s decision to invest in this area,” said Joe Little, Financial Secretary-Treasurer for the Steamfitters Union. “The Steamfitters Union and Highmark have a long-standing collaborative relationship, which we greatly appreciate.”

Expansion of the original section of the Steamfitters Training and Technology building, which was built in 2017 began two years ago. Upon completion, the new construction will house offices for the union’s executives and will also feature an indoor-outdoor special event and conference venue. The third floor, which is currently undeveloped, will be available for leasing.

“Our plan for this site from the very beginning was to create a community asset,” said Little. “Partnering with Highmark and AHN to help us add this valuable dimension to make our goal a reality for the people of this area has been very exciting.”