Category: News

Department of Human Services Reassures Pennsylvanians that Help is Available, Provides Update on Public Assistance Data Trends

Department of Human Services Reassures Pennsylvanians that Help is Available, Provides Update on Public Assistance Data Trends

Harrisburg, PA – Today, Department of Human Services Secretary Teresa Miller reminded Pennsylvanians of public assistance programs available to help families meet basic needs, such as affording groceries and accessing healthcare. Several new programs launched in recent weeks to help Pennsylvanians overcome the economic strains of the COVID-19 crisis.

“Together, Pennsylvanians have slowed the spread of the coronavirus and flattened the curve. We have made incredible personal sacrifices for the greater good. And while some parts of the commonwealth are beginning to reopen, we must still heed aggressive mitigation strategies so we can keep the virus under control,” DHS Secretary Teresa Miller said. “Pennsylvania will get through this and public assistance is one of the most important ways of making sure that everyone gets through.”

Last week, the department announced the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance (LIHEAP) Recovery Crisis Program, which launched Monday. DHS is working with utility companies and deliverable fuel vendors to help Pennsylvanians at risk of losing access to electricity, natural gas, or deliverable fuels such as oil. The program has been funded with $34.9 million Pennsylvania received from the federal CARES Act, and it will run through August 31 or until all budgeted funding is expended. Families may be eligible for a benefit of up to $800, and eligibility guidelines will be the same as those used during the 2019-2020 LIHEAP season.

DHS is also helping families get through this crisis with the new, federally funded Emergency Assistance Program (EAP). EAP provides a one-time cash benefit to families who have experienced a significant income reduction or complete job loss due to COVID-19. Since the program launched May 11, DHS has received more than 7,000 applications and disbursed more than $1.28 million to families in need. DHS has funded the program with existing Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) funds. EAP is open to families with a child under age 18 or a woman who is currently pregnant. Eligible families will receive a one-time payment equal to two months of TANF benefits for their household size – or about $800 for a family of three.

The Wolf Administration also recently received approval from the United States Department of Agriculture to extend additional support to families with children who participate in the National School Lunch Program. The Pandemic Electronic Benefit Transfer program (P-EBT) is designed to help families feed their children while schools are closed. In total, P-EBT will support the families of about 958,000 Pennsylvania children.

Pennsylvanians can apply for each of these programs at www.compass.state.pa.us.

Secretary Miller also encourages Pennsylvanians struggling with food costs to consider applying for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), also known as food stamps. Anyone without health coverage can apply for Medical Assistance, or Medicaid, at www.compass.state.pa.us. The Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) is affordable health coverage for children up to age 19, and it is available to every child regardless of family income. Pennsylvanians can apply for CHIP at www.chipcoverspakids.com.

To date, Pennsylvania has not experienced a significant surge in applications for SNAP or Medicaid. However, enrollment is steadily increasing.

Enrollment for SNAP has increased by about 123,000 people since February, for a total enrollment of about 1.86 million in April — a 7.1 percent increase.

DHS not currently terminating anyone from Medicaid or CHIP, unless they voluntarily withdraw, pass away or move to another state. Medicaid is available even if a person has other health coverage but needs additional assistance. Enrollment for Medicaid has increased by about 62,000 people since February, for a total enrollment of about 2.89 million in April — a 2.2 percent increase. CHIP covered about 186,000 Pennsylvania children in March. Today, CHIP enrollment is just over 200,000 children.

Application processing times remain consistent with pre-pandemic rates. DHS is actively monitoring these data trends and is working with the University of Pittsburgh to survey newly unemployed individuals and identify any barriers that exist to applying for benefits.

“Our goal is to make sure that people who could be helped by these services know we are here and what is available,” Secretary Miller said. “These programs exist to help people meet basic needs, such as affording groceries and accessing healthcare. Every single one of us could find ourselves in that position one day, and there should be no guilt or shame in asking for or accepting that help.”

Highmark extends coverage of COVID-19 treatment and telemedicine

Highmark extends coverage of COVID-19 treatment and telemedicine

 

Extension allows members to continue to receive needed care without cost-sharing

PITTSBURGH, Pa. (May 20, 2020) – Highmark has announced that members who require in-network, inpatient hospital care for COVID-19 will not have to worry about paying cost-sharing  such as deductibles, coinsurance and copays through Sept. 30. The health insurer had initially made the decision to waive cost-sharing for in-network, inpatient COVID-19 related hospital care through the end of May. Self-funded employer groups for which Highmark administers benefits may, however, opt-out of this waiver.

“As we’ve said since the beginning of the pandemic, the health and well-being of our members is what is most important, regardless of the cost to us,” said Deborah Rice-Johnson, President, Highmark Inc. “Our members have been getting COVID-19 treatment without having to worry about copays or coinsurance, and we want to make sure members can continue to receive that care as long as the pandemic continues to affect the regions we serve.”

In March, Highmark also made the decision to expand coverage of telehealth and to waive deductibles, coinsurance and copayments on all covered telehealth services from vendors and providers.

With today’s announcement, Highmark is also extending coverage of telehealth services through Sept. 30. The waiver of cost-sharing for in-network telehealth visits will also be extended through Sept. 30.  As with COVID-19 treatment, self-funded employer groups for which Highmark administers benefits may also opt-out of this waiver. Additionally, Medicare Advantage members will see no cost-sharing for both in- and out-of-network care through Sept. 30.

To help ensure that members can access needed care through telehealth, Highmark expanded the list of telehealth services that are covered and that doctors are paid for, including some physical, occupational and speech therapy that does not require physical touch by definition, and additional behavioral health services. These expanded services will continue to be covered until Sept. 30.

“Telehealth has been an important care delivery channel during the pandemic,” said Rice-Johnson. “Medical experts both inside and outside of our organization tell us that individuals who suspect they have COVID-19 should avoid hospitals and physician offices and should instead contact a provider from home. Telehealth is a great way to do that. Additionally, those who have other medical concerns can use telemedicine to get the care they need while avoiding the risk of exposure.”

Rice-Johnson also noted that Highmark has expanded access to teleaddiction services for members in PA, WV and DE who are in addiction treatment and need immediate help, or who may not be able to access their regular provider during this time. These services continue to be covered without any cost-sharing for members, she said.

For more information, visit highmarkanswers.com.

Real estate business activity to resume across Pennsylvania

Real estate business activity to resume across Pennsylvania
HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) — Real estate sales and related activity can resume across Pennsylvania if guidelines designed to limit infection are followed. Gov. Tom Wolf announced Tuesday new guidance that says people in the real estate industry can get back to work as long as they all wear masks or other facial coverings, and use separate vehicles to drive to visit properties. Business that’s conducted in person must be scheduled ahead of time and limited to no more than the real estate worker and two people inside a property at a time. Pennsylvania reported fewer than 1,000 new coronavirus infections for a ninth consecutive day Tuesday.

Man indicted in death of Pennsylvania woman in Nevada desert

Man indicted in death of Pennsylvania woman in Nevada desert
LAS VEGAS (AP) — A man has been indicted by a federal grand jury for kidnapping a special needs woman in Pennsylvania last year and then driving her to Nevada before allegedly killing her. Prosecutors say 40-year-old John Matthew Chapman is accused of one count of kidnapping which resulted in the death of the victim _ 33-year-old Jaime Rae Feden. Chapman, a Pennsylvania resident, remains in federal custody in Las Vegas and awaits a May 29 court appearance. Prosecutors say Chapman faces up to life in prison if he’s convicted in the case. They say Chapman allegedly drove Feden from her home in Bethel Park to Nevada in September 2019 after telling her they were going on a vacation.

Thousands evacuated as river dams break in central Michigan

Thousands evacuated as river dams break in central Michigan
MIDLAND, Mich. (AP) — Rapidly rising water has overtaken dams and forced the evacuation of about 10,000 people in central Michigan, where flooding struck several communities along rain-swollen waterways. Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer says among the threatened areas is downtown Midland, which by Wednesday could be “under approximately 9 feet of water.” On Wednesday morning, water that was several feet high covered some downtown streets near the Tittabawassee River, reaching a hotel and parking lots. The city of 42,000 is home to Dow Chemical Co.’s main plant, which sits on the riverbank. The National Weather Service issued a flood warning for locations along the Tittabawassee River after the breach at the Edenville Dam in northern Midland County and the Sanford Dam located about 8 miles downriver.

 

Special Activities For Graduates Planned In New Brighton

(Pulaski Township, PA)  Even though the skies were a bit cloudy, and it was quite windy in the parking lot of New Brighton High School on Tuesday Morning, everyone was all smiles as Superintendent, Dr. Joseph Gaurino, and High School Principal, Ryan Yates, discussed plans for a couple unique ways that the district plans on honoring their 2020 Graduates.

This Thursday, New Brighton faculty will gather at the school to pick up caps and gowns for the graduating seniors and then head out into the district to personally deliver the items.  High school Principal Ryan Yates offered his assessment about Thursday’s commencement attire distribution.

 

Then, in a couple weeks, New Brighton will host what is believed to be the first outdoor graduation ceremony on Wednesday evening June 3, 2020. The 6 P.M. program will also be simulcast on 1230 WBVP, 1460 WMBA, 99.3 F.M. and streamed on Facebook live video. Parents and family are invited to attend the ceremony, which will be held in the high school parking lot.  While The general public is  asked to celebrate with the graduates by being a part of the radio and video simulcast, the graduation itself is only open to family members. Dr. Joseph Gaurino talked about the special one of a kind multi media affair on Tuesday Afternoon while preparations were being made for the upcoming event:

 

To access the live Facebook video feed, click the New Brighton  High School logo. To access the live audio stream click the “Listen Now” graphic. The video feed will become active around 6 P.M. June 3rd.

 

 

 

 

 

Hopewell School Board Presented With Proposed 2020-21 Budget

A budget proposal for the Hopewell School Board was presented for a possible vote. Beaver County Radio News Correspondent Sandy Giordano has details:

Only One New Case Of COVID-19 In Beaver County, Department Of Health Reports

Department of Health Provides Update on COVID-19, 610 Positives Bring Statewide Total to 63,666

Harrisburg, PA – The Pennsylvania Department of Health today confirmed as of 12:00 a.m., May 19, that there are 610 additional positive cases of COVID-19, bringing the statewide total to 63,666. All 67 counties in Pennsylvania have cases of COVID-19.

There are 4,624 total deaths attributed to COVID-19, an increase of 119 new deaths. County-specific information and a statewide map are available here. 

“As counties move from red to yellow, we need all Pennsylvanians to continue to follow the social distancing and mitigation efforts in place,” Secretary of Health Dr. Rachel Levine said. “We must continue to protect our most vulnerable Pennsylvanians, which includes our seniors, those with underlying health issues, our healthcare workers and our first responders. I am proud of the work that Pennsylvanians have done so far, but we cannot stop now, we must continue to take the necessary steps to protect ourselves from COVID-19.”

Locally in Beaver County we are at 534 positive cases of COVID-19, up 1 from yesterday. 2,809 people have tested Negative and the county is now at 70 deaths, a decrease of 13 deaths..

There are 286,034 patients who have tested negative to date. Of the patients who have tested positive to date the age breakdown is as follows:

  • Nearly 1% are ages 0-4;
  • Nearly 1% are ages 5-12;
  • Nearly 2% are ages 13-18;
  • Nearly 6% are ages 19-24; 
  • Nearly 37% are ages 25-49; 
  • Nearly 26% are ages 50-64; and
  • Nearly 29% are ages 65 or older.

Most of the patients hospitalized are ages 65 or older, and most of the deaths have occurred in patients 65 or older. More data is available here.

In nursing and personal care homes, there are 13,813 resident cases of COVID-19, and 2,191 cases among employees, for a total of 16,003 at 557 distinct facilities in 44 counties. Out of our total deaths, 3,145 have occurred in residents from nursing or personal care facilities. A county breakdown can be found here.

Approximately 4,600 of our total cases are in health care workers.

Beaver County Humane Society Hosts 2nd Pet Food Drive During Pandemic

The Beaver County Humane Society held a second pet food drive to help benefit the animals living and looking for homes at the Humane Society on May 19. BCHS Executive Director Susan Salyards spoke with Matt Drzik on A.M. Beaver County about the event and the good it does for the community of animals in Beaver County.

To listen to the full interview, click on the player below!

Center Township To Demolish & Replace Municipal Building

The Center Township Supervisors have set in motion plans for a new municipal building, Beaver County Radio News Correspondent Sandy Giordano has details: