Philadelphia health brief: storm clinic closures, bird flu response, Medicaid contract draft, and hospital research

Storm response: City Health Centers closed for Monday, Feb. 23

Philadelphia’s winter storm response included temporary changes for patients trying to reach routine care. In a Feb. 22 city update, officials said all City Health Centers would be closed Monday, Feb. 23, with staff contacting patients to reschedule appointments. The city also emphasized that emergency crews would prioritize keeping routes passable for police, fire and EMS during the storm.

For residents managing chronic conditions, the closure notice was a reminder to confirm hours before traveling, especially when snow and wind can disrupt transit, clinic staffing and pharmacy deliveries.

Outbreak watch: bird flu activity reaches Philadelphia-area poultry and wild birds

State and federal agencies are intensifying the response to highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) after outbreaks were reported in multiple Pennsylvania counties, including Philadelphia and Bucks. A PhillyVoice report on Feb. 22 cited USDA figures showing millions of birds have died statewide this year, with response teams expanding testing and on-the-ground support for affected farms.

Separately, the Pennsylvania Game Commission said Feb. 23 that avian influenza viruses continue circulating in wild birds this winter and asked the public to report sick or dead wild birds so wildlife staff can respond and, when needed, test and remove carcasses.

Measles update: cases confirmed in nearby counties

Measles also remains on the region’s radar. A Feb. 26 report citing the Pennsylvania Department of Health said the state had 12 confirmed measles cases, including cases in Montgomery and Chester counties. The report said all identified cases involved unvaccinated residents, underscoring why health departments continue to track exposures closely.

Health insurance: Medicaid managed care contract draft posted

On the coverage side, the Pennsylvania Department of Human Services has posted a draft 2026 HealthChoices Agreement, the managed care framework that helps shape how many Medicaid members receive services. A Feb. 24 summary from the Pennsylvania Office of Rural Health noted the draft is listed as effective Jan. 1, 2026, pending commonwealth signatures and federal approval, and that DHS expects to issue additional guidance in the coming months, including billing instructions for Community Health Worker services.

Hospital and research: Penn Medicine and CHOP launch AML CRISPR platform

Philadelphia’s health systems also reported new research aimed at accelerating cancer discovery. On Feb. 26, Penn Medicine said it and Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia launched a CRISPR-based platform designed to test genetic drivers of acute myeloid leukemia directly in patient cells. The institutions said the work, published in Molecular Cell, is intended to help identify potential targets and better understand why some cases stop responding to treatment.

Sources

https://www.phila.gov/2026-02-22-city-of-philadelphia-provides-updates-on-activations-and-response-to-major-winter-storm/
https://www.phillyvoice.com/pennsylvania-avian-flu-outbreak-philadelphia-bucks/
https://www.pa.gov/agencies/pgc/newsroom/game-commission-monitoring-avian-influenza-in-wild-birds
https://www.yahoo.com/news/articles/state-department-health-releases-updated-192156037.html
https://www.porh.psu.edu/pennsylvania-medicaid-agency-posts-managed-care-draft/
https://www.pennmedicine.org/news/crispr-based-platform-pinpoints-drivers-of-leukemia-in-patient-cells