Pennsylvania Health Funders Collaborative Lists Behavioral Health and Maternal Health as Priorities for 2025
Type: News
Members of the PHFC meet to discuss their priorities for the upcoming year.
The Pennsylvania Health Funders Collaborative (PHFC)— a network of over 20 health foundations across PA that works at the intersection of health philanthropy and policy— held its 18th Annual Conference in mid-November. PHFC is co-chaired by Jewish Healthcare Foundation (JHF) Chief Policy Officer Robert Ferguson, MPH, Philadelphia Health Partnership Executive Director Ann Marie Healy, and Touchstone Foundation Executive Director Anna Kennedy. Ann Torregrossa is the executive director of the Collaborative.
The conference began with PHFC co-chairs highlighting the collaborative’s successes from 2024, including the establishment of a Perinatal Behavioral Health Consultation and Access Program. Members shared their recommendations for the group's 2025 priorities, including expanding access to behavioral health, improving maternal health, ensuring access to healthcare including Medicaid coverage, and a focus on basic needs including housing and food.
Carolyn Byrnes, MPH, Policy Director at JHF, provided information on the need to continue to advocate for sustainable funding for the Perinatal Behavioral Health Consultation and Access Program and the shared priority of maternal health among the branches of state government, including the anticipated Maternal Health Strategic Plan from the Administration and the Momnibus bills introduced by the Black Maternal Health Caucus. Sarah Pesi, MSPPM, Policy Associate at JHF, provided insights into the behavioral health needs of young people across Pennsylvania and community-based organization’s need for funding in order to continue their work providing mental health prevention and early intervention services for teens.
A panel then convened leaders from the Pennsylvania Department of Human Services, including Jennifer Smith, Deputy Secretary of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services (OMHSAS), Scott Talley, Director of the Bureau of Children's Behavioral Health Services within OMHSAS, and Nicole Harris, Executive Director of Children’s Health Insurance Program, who presented DHS’ Pediatric Priorities for 2025 and discussed behavioral health supports for youth with PHFC members. This panel preceded a convening of cabinet members and staff, including Secretary of the Budget, Uri Monson, Secretary of Human Services, Dr. Val Arkoosh, and Deputy Secretary for Policy and Planning in the Governor’s Office, Meghna Patel, to discuss the Governor’s healthcare priorities, including Medicaid, maternal health and behavioral health
The conference resulted in an updated policy agenda for PHFC in 2025, and a renewed commitment to partnerships with a variety of stakeholders to accomplish our goals and objectives in the coming year.