JHF Policy Agenda

The Jewish Healthcare Foundation's 2024 Policy Agenda includes the following priorities:

Ending the HIV/AIDS Epidemic in PA: Establish a statewide ending the HIV epidemic initiative, building on AIDS Free Pittsburgh.
Improve Data Collection Statewide: Create a statewide data committee to update and expand data collection procedures statewide while improving data submission rates.
Legalize Syringe Service Programs (SSPs) in PA: SSPs are evidence-based programs that provide critical services and save lives. Current legislative efforts in the Pennsylvania Senate would allow for SSPs to operate in PA.
Federal Housing Funds for People Living with HIV: Advocate for increased federal funding for the Housing Opportunities for Persons with AIDS (HOPWA).
Federal Ending the HIV Epidemic Funding: Advocate for the federal government to continue to provide Ending the HIV Epidemic Funding.

Perinatal Behavioral Health Access Program: Support sustainable funding for PA’s Perinatal Behavioral Health Consultation & Access Program in the 2025-2026 State Budget.

Community Based Mental Health: Create reimbursement mechanisms for community-based organizations to provide preventive mental health services and supports.
School Mental Health Days: Ensure K-12 students can take a mental health day without a doctor’s note or diagnosis, allowing students to connect with resources and support.

National Patient Safety Board: Establish the NPSB via federal legislative efforts.
Investment in Safety Technology: Support investment in Pittsburgh-based safety technology research and development and tech transfer, including PA DCED’s proposed Innovation Funds.

Support for Older Americans: Advocate for federal support for seniors, including the reauthorization on the Older Americans Act (OAA) that would provide critical supports for seniors.
Support for Caregivers: Advocate for federal support for caregivers.

Senior/Nursing Home Workforce: Support tuition assistance, scholarships, and reinstatement of pandemic waivers to increase the number of certified nursing assistants and geriatric nurses in nursing homes in Pennsylvania. Advance a focus on long-term care insurance and financing. Improve wages and working conditions for frontline workers in nursing homes and community-based care. Provide input on the Department of Aging’s 10-year plan.
Community Health Workers (CHWs): Support the PA Community Health Worker Collaborative and PA Department of Human Services (DHS) in adding certified CHWs as a billable provider under Medicaid through an approved PA Medicaid State Plan Amendment.
Doulas: Support the PA Doula Commission and PA DHS in adding certified Doulas as a billable provider under Medicaid through an approved PA Medicaid State Plan Amendment.
Midwives: Support solutions to modernizing midwifery in Pennsylvania.