It’s been a significant year for Pennsylvania’s health care field, with changes in policy from opioid awareness to diabetes medical care access. Take a look at some of the biggest changes, and how they affect you and your family.
June: Sweet Tooth Substitutes
Philadelphia became the first major U.S. city to approve a soda tax (1.5 cents per ounce), affecting thousands of products, including anything bottled, canned or from a fountain that contains either sugar or artificial sweetener, with a few exceptions. The tax is expected to raise about $91 million annually, which would be spent on expanding pre-kindergarten programs in the city; creating community schools; improving parks, recreation centers, and libraries; and offering a tax credit for businesses that sell healthy beverages. Beyond the financial aspect, the increased tax may provide health benefits by encouraging Philadelphia residents to put down the soda and opt for a healthier beverage.
Try these healthy soda alternatives instead.
June: Car Seat Safety
In June, a new state law was passed requiring children under 2 to be buckled into an approved, rear-facing child safety seat, as long as the child falls within the seat manufacturer’s weight limits. For optimum child seat safety, follow these state Department of Transportation guidelines:
- Select a car seat based on your child’s age and size
- Choose a seat that fits in your vehicle
- Refer to your specific car seat manufacturer’s instructions
- Read the vehicle owner’s manual on how to install the car seat
- For car seat installation check locations in PA, visit SaferCar.gov
- Keep your child in the backseat at least through age 12
July: Increased Diabetes Care
Thanks to legislation passed by Pennsylvania lawmakers, trained non-nursing school staff can now provide routine and emergency care to students with diabetes. This policy allows students to have broader access to care, and encourages parents, family physicians, school nurses and administrators to work together for diabetes management. Click here to learn three effective management tips.
August: Raised Cigarette Tax
In August, Pennsylvania raised the cigarette tax to $2.60 per back of 20 cigarettes, with retailer cost changed from 6 percent to 7 percent. If health weren’t enough of a reason to kick the habit, the increased cost now serves as another incentive. Check out these four strategies you can use to quit smoking.
October: Broadened Access
Pennsylvania recently passed legislation allowing doctors to treat patients in other state via telemedicine, which brings benefits both to local health care providers trying to expand their reach into other states, and patients in underserved areas of PA. With telemedicine technology, specialists can assist primary care physicians with making diagnosis through interactive live video, homebound patients can be cared for via remote monitoring, and consumers can receive specialized health information over wireless devices.
November: Opioid Awareness
In November, Gov. Wolf signed legislation supporting the Prescription Drug Monitoring Program in efforts to battle Pennsylvania’s heroin and opioid epidemic. The policy restricts the number of pills that can be prescribed to minors or in emergency rooms, establishes education curriculum on safe prescribing, and creates more locations for safe drop-off of prescription drugs.
If you need any pain medication, remind yourself to ask your doctor these six questions from Pennsylvania Medical Society:
- Is this prescription pain medicine an opioid?
- At what level of pain should I take this prescription?
- Do I have to take every pill in the prescription?
- Where can I safely dispose of remaining pills?
- What can I do to avoid addiction?
- What are warning signs of dependence or addiction?