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PA’s Keystones of Health Comment Period Open Through March 16th

Erin Guay

In the past weeks, Pennsylvania submitted to the federal government an application for a new program called Bridges to Success: Keystones of Health for Pennsylvania,  Section 1115 waiver demonstration program.  After reviewing the application for completeness, the federal government opened its public comment period to seek input and feedback. This comment runs through March 16, 2024.

The federal government must approve Pennsylvania’s waiver application for it to be implemented, and they will consider the comments received as they do their review and make their decision. There are various Medicaid waivers available that allow states to ask the federal government to waive certain requirements that otherwise apply to Medicaid programs and in return states must meet certain requirements depending on the waiver being sought. Section 1115 demonstration waivers allow states to develop demonstration programs, in coordination with the federal agency that oversees Medicaid, to offer health-related services and benefits not normally covered by Medicaid but that promote the objectives of the Medicaid program. More information about these waivers can be found here. The federal agency that oversees Medicaid is the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, also known as CMS.

Keystones of Health focuses on addressing social determinants of health as a way to improve health outcomes and reduce avoidable health care spending through four key areas:

  • Reentry supports for Incarcerated Individuals
  • Housing Supports
  • Food and Nutrition
  • Multi-Year Continuous Coverage for Children Under 6 years of age
     

As PHLP reported at the end of last year, Pennsylvania had its own comment period to seek comments that were considered when finalizing the waiver application. The federal public comment period is another change to provide input and feedback.

Readers can find the Keystones of Health waiver application here. People interested in submitting comments or viewing comments submitted by others can do so here.