Health - Bensalem Township

Bucks State Rep Appointed to Behavioral Health Commission for Adult Mental Health.

Published

4 years ago

August 30, 2022

A Bucks County State Representative was appointed to the Behavioral Health Commission for Adult Mental Health last week by House Speaker Bryan Cutler.

Representative Wendi Thomas (R- 178 LD) made the announcement last Friday in a press release.

“I’m pleased to announce House Speaker Bryan Cutler has appointed me to the Behavioral Health Commission for Adult Mental Health. I want to thank him for this honor.

During my tenure in the House, I have committed myself to improving mental health care in the Commonwealth. My goal on the commission is to work statewide to implement changes to improve both access to and reduce the stigma of mental health care,” Thomas said.

The commission was established earlier this year through Act 54 of 2022.

The commission will allocate the $100 million to improve mental health services in Pennsylvania that was included in the 2022-23 state budget. It is also expected to take up one of Thomas’key mental health reforms, House Bill 2686 to encourage Collaborative Care Models (CCM) for mental health treatment.

Under this system, she said, a care team is led by a primary care provider and includes a consulting psychiatrist and behavioral health care manager. The team cares for a defined group of patients and closely tracks each patient’s progress using an evidence- and measurement-based care plan, the bill reads.

“While this is one idea to improve access to mental health services, by making them available at your family doctor’s office, much work remains to be done,”said Thomas.

The legislature appropriated $100 million of American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funding for adult mental health programs. Per Act 54 of 2022, no funding shall be expended until enabling legislation is enacted by the General Assembly. The Commission will produce a report with funding recommendations in the coming months, officials said.

Submitted:

Commission meetings are open to the public for both in-person and remote participation. If you would like to attend remotely, please email RA-PWADULTMHCOMM@pa.gov to receive the invitation.

To view the composition of the commission please click here.

Upcoming meeting dates are as follows:

September 1, 2022
1:00 – 6:30 p.m.
Capitol Associates Building (901 N. 7th Street, Harrisburg),
Forster Conference Room

September 8, 2022
3 p.m.; Centre County (exact location TBD)

September 15, 2022
3 p.m.; Health & Welfare Building Room 327, 625 Forster Street, Harrisburg

E-mail advertisingonlbs@gmail.com

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Health - Bensalem Township

Tackle Spring Break Travel Prep with GIANT Pharmacists

Published

7 hours ago

March 5, 2026

Jeff Bohen

After a long winter, many people are now looking ahead to spring break travel. Whether your plans have you headed to the beach or traveling abroad, GIANT and MARTIN’S pharmacists are available as a resource with pre-travel health consultations and over-the-counter product suggestions.

“The same way you may enlist the expertise of a travel agent when booking your vacation, your local GIANT or MARTIN’S pharmacist also has a wealth of knowledge when it comes to ensuring you have the right vaccinations or health essentials ahead of your trip,” said Nick Koch, director of pharmacy and wellbeing, The GIANT Company. “From pre-health travel consultations to offering recommendations for the best sunscreens and first aid basics, don’t overlook the value that our team of pharmacists can bring to your vacation preparations.”

If your spring break plans have you traveling aboard, GIANT and MARTIN’S pharmacists can also get you adventure ready with a pre-travel health consultation approximately as soon as travel dates are confirmed and a minimum of one month before you leave. This includes vaccines, prescription referrals, and over-the-counter medications.

Vaccines^* include but are not limited to yellow fever vaccine (available at select locations), typhoid vaccine and cholera vaccine. Prescription referrals include malaria prevention, traveler’s diarrhea prevention and care, motion sickness prevention and altitude sickness prevention. For more information or to schedule an appointment, visit https://giantfoodstores.com/pages/pharmacy-services.

GIANT and MARTIN’S pharmacists advise that any prescription medication should always be packed in one’s carry-on bag, never in checked luggage, and preferably in the original container with the prescription label affixed. Be sure to bring enough for your trip as well as extra should there be any travel delays.

Travelers are also encouraged to pack a small first aid kit for on-the-go use. This should include bandages of various sizes, gauze pads, antibiotic ointment, hydrocortisone cream, tweezers and a thermometer. Be sure to add over the counter pain relievers, antacids, decongestants, hand sanitizers and antibacterial wipes, too. Additional items may be needed based on one’s destination and weather.

Health - Bensalem Township

Still Winter: NWS Issues Tuesday Morning Winter Weather Advisory

Published

3 days ago

March 2, 2026

staff

March “comes in as lion” to the Lower Bucks area as the National Weather Service (NWS) issued a winter weather advisory for Tuesday morning forecasting a mixed precipitation event making for possibly slippery road conditions.

The advisory is in effect from 5 a.m. until 11 a.m. Tuesday, March 3.

NWS says total snow accumulations less than one inch and ice accumulations around a light glaze in portions of southeast Pennsylvania and central, northern, and northwest New Jersey.

The hazardous conditions could impact the Tuesday morning commute, officials say, and motorists should plan on slippery road conditions. Motorists are reminded to slow down and use caution while traveling.

Health - Bensalem Township

Bucks Issues “Code Blue” Until March 3rd Due to Forecasted Bitter Cold

Published

4 days ago

March 1, 2026

staff

Bucks County has issued a “Code Blue” declaration as bitter cold is set to return for the start of March.

Shelters in Upper, Central and Lower Bucks will be in operation nightly Sunday through Tuesday morning.

The following shelters have been activated for this Code Blue event:

Lower Bucks – ahtn.org
(3/1)
Calvary Baptist Church – Gym
250 Green Lane
Bristol, PA 19007
www.calvarybristol.org

(3/2)
Morrisville Presbyterian Church
771 N. Pennsylvania Ave.
Morrisville, PA 19067
www.mpcusa.org

Please note the Lower Bucks shelter location changes Monday evening to Morrisville Presbyterian Church.

Guests are required to leave the shelters by 6:45 a.m. each day and may return in the evening

Upper Bucks – facebook.com/upperbuckscodeblue
Quakertown Masonic Lodge – First Floor
501 W. Broad Street
Quakertown, PA 18951

Central Bucks – co2ssh.org
St. Paul’s Lutheran Church
301 N. Main Street
Doylestown, PA 18901
www.doylestownlutheran.org

Guests are required to leave the shelters by 6:45 a.m. each day and may return in the evening.

The Upper and Lower Bucks shelters will open at 8:30 p.m. The Central Bucks shelter opens at 7:30 p.m.

The county issues a “Code Blue” declaration when temperatures are forecast to drop below 20 degrees for two or more consecutive days. A “Code Blue” may be called amid higher temperatures, as consideration is also given to wind chill, precipitation and other circumstances.

Information about “Code Blue” openings is available Monday – Friday through the County’s Housing Link Helpline at 1-800-810-4434.