U.S. Deputy Secretary of Health and Human Services, Eric Hargan, Visits Penn Foundation

U.S. Deputy Secretary of Health and Human Services, Eric Hargan (pictured right), visited Penn Foundation on September 14, 2020 in recognition of National Recovery Month and to discuss the ongoing federal response to combat the opioid epidemic in America. He met with Dorothy K. Weik-Hange, Esq., Penn Foundation Board Chair and Wayne Mugrauer, President and CEO of Penn Foundation, in addition to other Penn Foundation senior leaders.

The discussion focused on the work Penn Foundation is doing to address substance use disorder (SUD) in Pennsylvania as well as the efforts being made to adapt treatment, prevention, and recovery services during the COVID-19 pandemic. They also discussed federal flexibilities around telehealth expansion and reimbursement, and recent regulatory changes to 42 CFR Part 2 to reduce burden for SUD providers and promote coordinated care.

“We were pleased to welcome Deputy Secretary Hargan to Penn Foundation this afternoon to continue to shine a spotlight on the need for mental health and substance use treatment,” said Mugrauer. “While our country is dealing with the pandemic, we cannot lose sight of the opioid epidemic and the growing mental health crisis. We remain focused on doing all we can to keep treatment affordable and assure individuals in need have access to care.”