August 2021 Edition
Early Bird Rates Expire this Month!
Don't Miss Out — Make Your Plans to Attend the 2021 Summit Today and Save!
We hope you're planning to join us for our 2021 Innovation Summit & Capitol Caucus, set for October 26-27 in Washington, DC. This year we're holding a hybrid event, where you can attend virtually or in-person at the Top of The Town on Capitol Hill. Either way you decide, it will surely be a must-attend event!

Like in past years, we’re again gathering key senior executives from across the health care industry—leaders from health systems, health plans, academia, biopharma, technology/digital health, and employer solution companies, etc., all who have a stake in population health management.

This year’s conference, “Innovation in Resource Allocation: Population Health Management Strategies to Recover Losses and Accelerate Gains,” features inspiring keynotes from a slate of featured keynote speakers, including Dan Mendelson, CEO of Morgan Health at JPMorgan Chase & Co., and Sandro Galea, Dean of Boston University School of Health, as well as interesting panel discussions and sessions. To learn more about the program, click here.

Register early! Space is limited for in-person attendance and the networking opportunities are not to be missed!
Early-Bird Rates Expire on August 31st!
If you haven't yet reserved your space at this two-day conference, why not today?
By registering today through Eventbrite, you'll lock in reduced-price rates.
Early-Bird reg rates for both virtual and in-person expire at the end of the month; so act today.

And to learn about great event sponsorship opportunities, click here.
CMS Innovation Center Releases 5th Report to Congress
On August 4, 2021, the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Innovation (CMMI) released its report to Congress on its latest economic experiments, explaining how it not only “leveraged technology and data” but that “model testing in a performance-based payment environment depends on technology and data” to reduce burden, improve outcomes, and evaluate performance. CMMI reported, for instance, that for its Comprehensive Primary Care Plus Model, it collected data on 3,000 practices to help figure out how they may succeed in value-based care arrangements. In the future, CMMI intends to give model test participants better access to meaningful data and analytics.

Low Vaccination Rates Impact Population Health
According to a recent study published in the American Journal of Public Medicine by Kosuke Kawai, ScD, and Alison Tse Kawhi, ScD, on racial/ethnic and socioeconomic disparities in adult vaccination coverage, racial and ethnic minority communities are presenting low vaccination rates, highlighting health disparities and impacting population health.

Vaccinations can decrease death from vaccine-preventable in children to 300 per year in the United States. Influenza causes around 140,000 to 710,000 hospitalizations and 12,000 to 61,000 deaths in adults. 

You can read the entire article here.
Happy 24th Anniversary CHIP!
Last Friday, July 30th, marked the 56th birthday for Medicare and Medicaid. Today, we're celebrating another anniversary—this time for the Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP). The law establishing CHIP was signed by President Clinton on August 5, 1997.

In commemoration of this anniversary, HHS Secretary Xavier Becerra released a statement. Read his remarks here.
New Report Finds MA Plans Need Stronger Standards & Rating Adjustments for SDOH
As Medicare Advantage (MA) continues to serve a proportionally higher-risk and more diverse enrollment population, a new report highlights innovative approaches to addressing social determinants of health (SDOH) for Medicare Advantage beneficiaries, while acknowledging that barriers still remain.

To read more about this recently-released report conducted by NORC at the University of Chicago on behalf of Better Medicare Alliance’s Center for Innovation, click here.
PHA to Hold 4-Part Health and Racial Equity Training Sessions this Fall
PHA along with the National Association of Chronic Disease Directors will offer a brand new four-week virtual training session on health and racial equities. During this 8-hour virtual training—taking place on four consecutive Fridays, beginning on September 17th—skilled instructors will explore social determinants of health, review case scenarios of successful institutional change, and enhance the knowledge and skills needed to apply a health and racial equity lens. Participants will build capacity to support actions that reduce disparities through policies, programs, and practices.

More information coming soon. Please mark your calendars. Sessions will be held Fridays from 1-3pm EST on September 17 and 24 and October 1 and 8.
PHA Board Member Celebrates Anniversary
PHA Board Member John Robitscher, MPH celebrates 16 years as Chief Executive Officer of the National Association of Chronic Disease Directors.

We congratulate John on his long service to the organization. 
From the Desk of the Executive Director...
One of the biggest developments in PHA's advocacy efforts is the establishment of the Social Determinants of Health Caucus.
Reps. Cheri Bustos, D-IL.; Tom Cole, R-OK; G.K. Butterfield, D-NC; and Markwayne Mullin, R-OK, launched the bipartisan caucus, which will highlight opportunities to coordinate federal investments in health and social drivers of health such as food, housing and transportation.
Specifically, the caucus will spotlight the disparate impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on certain populations and communities; convene thought=leaders to educate members on the evidence around social determinants; collect stakeholder input on how best to facilitate effective social determinant interventions; discuss bipartisan legislative efforts to address social determinant challenges; and highlight priorities to external stakeholders and the Executive branch. 

Reps. Bustos and Cole are sponsors of the Social Determinants Accelerator Act (H.R. 2503) — legislation which PHA has endorsed — that would provide planning grants and technical assistance to help states and communities address the social determinants of health for high-need Medicaid patients. The bill passed the House Energy and Commerce Health Subcommittee.

PHA member YMCA of the USA participated in the launch. It is great to see, in an otherwise very partisan Washington, DC climate, to see such bipartisanship on such an important issue. 
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THOMAS L. JOHNSON
PHA Executive Director
PHA MEMBER NEWS ROUNDUP
Take a look at some of the latest happenings of our PHA Members:
3M's New Environmental Initiative

PHA member 3M (NYSE: MMM) is expanding its ongoing commitment to environmental stewardship by investing in TPG Rise Climate, a multibillion-dollar climate impact investing fund that deploys mission-driven capital at scale. TPG Rise Climate is focusing investments on clean energy, enabling solutions, decarbonized transport, greening industrials, and agricultural and natural solutions. The first-close fund participation of more than 20 global companies, including 3M, was announced this morning. "From environmental goals to reduce water use, improve water quality, and achieve carbon neutrality, to our ongoing investments in emerging technologies that advance sustainability, 3M is committed to making a difference in the trajectory of climate change," said Gayle Schueller, Senior Vice President and Chief Sustainability Officer, 3M. "We continually build and add to our external partnerships to bring together people, ideas, and science, reimagine what's possible and help solve the world's greatest challenges." 
UPMC Announces Leslie Davis to Succeed Jeffrey Romoff as President and CEO 

UPMC recently announced that its Board of Directors has unanimously selected Leslie C. Davis to succeed Jeffrey A. Romoff as president and chief executive officer, effective Aug. 1, 2021.  “Under Jeff’s leadership, UPMC has provided excellent and unmatched health care across our tri-state service territory and internationally. He has led UPMC in developing new models of care and supported advanced research that has benefitted our patients,” said G. Nicholas Beckwith III, chair, UPMC Board of Directors. “Jeff’s contributions are numerous in helping to build UPMC into the global health care leader that it is today. The full Board of Directors joins me in recognizing Jeff’s accomplishments, including the establishment of a strong foundation for the advancement of patient care, research breakthroughs and developing the overall vision for UPMC’s growth.” Romoff will be named president emeritus, reflecting the transfer of responsibilities and his continuing role as a resource to Davis and UPMC until Oct. 1, 2021. Beckwith continued, “We are thrilled to announce Leslie as UPMC’s next leader. She brings a stellar track record built over three decades of leadership in health care with the background and expertise to help propel UPMC into the next phase of growth. In her 17 years at UPMC, she has demonstrated a strong commitment to clinical excellence and very strong relationships with our patient families, physicians, employees, leaders and communities."
New On-Demand Webinar from OSF Healthcare and CareSignal Offered


Access the on-demand recording of the July 2021 webinar to learn how Abby Lotz, MSN, RN, Vice President and Chief Nursing Officer and Courtney K. Pilat, RN, BSN, MSHI, Director, Digital Outpatient & Community Care at OSF Healthcare, and Blake Marggraff, CareSignal's CEO demonstrate how Population Health leaders can deliver enterprise-wide virtual care solutions to high and rising-risk patients to improve clinical and financial outcomes. Access the webinar here.
National Association of Chronic Disease Directors

NACDD is partnering with the CDC Foundation to support the National Hypertension Control Roundtable (NHCR) in meeting the Surgeon General’s Call to Action to Improve Hypertension Control. The NHCR was launched by the Center for Disease Control and Prevention’s Division of Heart Disease and Stroke Prevention to build a unified multi-sector approach to hypertension control in the United States. The NHCR is dedicated to igniting a national dialogue and spotlighting actions to improve hypertension control, eliminate disparities, and advance innovative strategies. 
The expertise from our members drives our mission through creating new partnerships, sharing best practices, and uplifting innovative efforts. Members include professional organizations, health systems, clinicians, academic institutions, federal, state, and local government, public health agencies, health plans and managed care organizations, employers, and foundations. The Roundtable provides opportunities to network with organizations with similar goals, learn about the latest news and resources, and magnify your organization’s impact in hypertension control. Together, members work to identify needs and opportunities and address gaps in policies, programs, and to research to increase hypertension control. The NHCR virtual convening will be held Sept. 20–21. The meeting will highlight current efforts and initiatives, identify opportunities to collaborate on shared goals, and engage new partners in hypertension control efforts. We invite you to become part of the solution and join the NHCR as we work to highlight new, innovative partnerships and approaches that are necessary to control hypertension throughout the U.S. 
Medecision Announces New Senior Leaders to Further Bolster Strategic Financial Planning and Technology Expertise 

Medecision, a leading provider of integrated health analytics and software to health plans and value-based providers, recently announced the addition of Quyen Nguyen-Haelle, CPA as its new chief financial officer, and Pavel Grebenshikov as its new chief technology officer. The two bring a combined 35 years of experience in key areas of interest including strategic financial planning, business intelligence, digital platform modernization and cloud transformation programs. These hires, along with the recent appointment of Kenneth Young as president and CEO, mark a strategic focus designed to develop capabilities and accelerate growth to better serve Medecision's customers and their members and patients, as well as enhance its position in the marketplace. 
NeuroFlow Announces New Contract to Support the Wellness and Resiliency of USNA Midshipmen

NeuroFlow, a leader in technology and services for behavioral health integration, has been contracted by the U.S. Naval Academy to support Midshipmen wellness during their 47-month journey to commission as naval officers. The new offering gives Midshipmen access to a secure mobile application designed to enhance resiliency and, when necessary, support a pathway to care. NeuroFlow’s platform confidentially captures health data to enable the system to provide tailored educational resources, health surveys, and activities. The technology was first introduced to Midshipmen in April 2021 and will be available to the incoming fall class. “As we prepare to welcome a new class to Annapolis, it’s our goal to create an environment that recognizes the impact mental health has on overall health,” said Commander Randy G. Reese, MSC, USN, director of the Midshipman Development Center at USNA. “We’re always exploring new ways to support the overall wellness of students and proactively offer resources to those in need.” 

You're invited to register for the Aerial 2021.5 Guided Tour webinar to be held on Tuesday, August 24 at 11:30am CT. The webinar, features the preview of important Aerial enhancements to Care Coordination, Complex Care Management, and iExchange. During this session, you'll also have the opportunity to discover Community updates and learn more about upcoming Aerial events. Click here to register.
UPMC for Kids celebrates 15th anniversary with charitable giving 

UPMC for Kids Children’s Health Insurance Plan (CHIP) today recognized its 15th anniversary and growth into Pennsylvania’s largest CHIP managed care plan and will make $15,000 charitable donations to three community organizations that support Pennsylvania children. “Led by then-Gov. Bob Casey, Pennsylvania’s landmark CHIP law served as the model for federal legislation that made this program available in every state, so serving as the state’s largest CHIP plan is a particularly special honor,” said John Lovelace, President, Government Programs for UPMC Health Plan. “We have grown from 50 members when we started in August 2006, and now provide health coverage to about 35,000 individuals.” Today, we celebrate and congratulate the UPMC for Kids CHIP plan for reaching this wonderful milestone,” said US Senator Bob Casey (D-PA) in a video recognizing UPMC for Kids’ achievement and the ongoing importance of the CHIP program established by his father. 

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